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<< Back to "Federal Workers Comp-OWCP Topic" index OWCP Does Not Settle Compensation Cases and Pay Out a Lump Sum; Instead, it Issues Schedule AwardsOWCP does not offer a federal worker a settlement and lump sum payment to compensate for a work injury. The compensation it offers is eligibility for medical treatment of the accepted condition and monthly wage loss payments if disabled from employment. However, if the worker has a permanent impairment to an extremity of the body or to certain organs and has reached maximum improvement, he could be eligible for a schedule award in the nature of damages. A recent regulation (9/29/11) provides a claimant’s skin as a covered organ for injuries that occurred on or after 9/11/01. A back injury does not qualify a person for a schedule award unless the back condition causes impairment to the legs, etc. A physician of the claimant's choosing rates the degree of the permanent impairment. OWCP reviews the rating and, based on the claimant's wage, awards compensation for the impairment. To apply for a schedule award, submit a form CA-7 form (OWCP Forms Page) and mark Schedule Award. (OWCP may be introducing a specific form for schedule award claims, so check the entire form list.) OWCP will reply with a letter that explains impairment ratings. The letter should be taken to a doctor, and OWCP will pay for the doctor's report. Once OWCP receives the doctor’s impairment rating, it generally runs the findings past its district medical advisor. If a claimant thinks the amount of the schedule award is incorrect, she can appeal the schedule award decision. To contest OWCP lowering an impairment rating, the claimant’s doctor would need to affirm in writing his opinion regarding a higher rating. In the meantime, the claimant can spend any award money she receives. The best time to apply for and receive a schedule award is after a claimant has returned to work or is on disability retirement or retirement benefits. A person can't receive wage loss compensation and a schedule award at the same time for the same injury. Note that OWCP takes many months to process schedule award claims, which have less priority for claims examiners than wage loss claims. << Back to "Federal Workers Comp-OWCP Topic" index 
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