Norman R. McNulty, Jr.

Federal Workers' Compensation Attorney

Representing Clients Nationwide - Assisting Injured Federal Employees Since 1994

AUGUST 2010

I am semi-retiring. Thus, beginning this month I’m reducing the number of cases I accept. Limiting cases will ensure I have the time to dedicate myself to assisting the fewer clients I’ll be representing.

I’ll consider accepting and handling the following important types of federal workers’ compensation cases, all of which involve written notices from OWCP:

1. notices of proposed termination of compensation benefits to which the claimant (client) must respond within 30 days; 
   (Click here for a discussion of termination cases.)
2. notices of termination which the claimant has appealed by requesting a hearing or for which a hearing needs to be requested within 30 days*; and
3. notices of denial of an initial compensation claim**, which the claimant has appealed by requesting a hearing or for which a hearing needs to be requested within 30 days*.

* It's possible a reconsideration request on the client’s behalf would be more appropriate.

** However, please note I’m no longer taking mental stress occupational disease cases.

I regret I no longer handle the following types of cases, nor am I available to give advice on these matters:

1. schedule award claims;
2. notices of proposed reduction and reduction of compensation;
3. vocational rehabilitation issues;
4. job offers, job suitability letters from OWCP, and notices of disqualification from compensation;
5. notices of denial of surgery or medical treatment;
6. expansions of a claim to include additional medical conditions; and
7. overpayments of compensation.

I gained the general information offered on this website from assisting federal workers’ compensation clients for over 16 years. While I’m no longer handling or giving advice on every type of case, I hope all compensation claimants find the information useful.

Are you a federal worker? Have you been injured on the job? Have you duly filed a CA-1 claim form? You have, but now you've come to detours and dead ends.

• The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) has denied your claim for traumatic injury.

Was your claim approved? It was, but now you've run into roadblocks.

• OWCP has terminated (or notified you it may terminate) your wage-loss compensation and/or medical benefits.
• OWCP has disqualified (or threatened to disqualify) you from wage-loss compensation.

Are you confused by the complex legal landscape surrounding your federal workers' compensation claim? Have you become frustrated trying to deal with OWCP yourself?

Are you unsure of what you need to say and what you need to prove in response to OWCP's notice of proposed termination of compensation?

Do you need to decide which way to appeal an adverse decision by OWCP?

Do you need an OWCP roadmap?

The law office of Norman R. McNulty, Jr. specializes in assisting federal workers' compensation claimants.

Mr. McNulty accepts clients with federal workers' compensation claims administered by the district offices of the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP), Department of Labor. See FECA page for information and forms.

A Note About Disability Retirement

It's a good idea for a federal workers' compensation claimant to apply for disability retirement (Federal Employees' Retirement System - FERS) because it can provide a fall-back income in the event there is an interruption in compensation income.

There is a one-year deadline from the date of removal from federal employment to apply for disability retirement. Missing the deadline may results in disqualification for disability retirement.

Click for an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) pamphlet (Standard Forms 3112-2) explaining the disability retirement application process..

OWCP does not require a person to be represented, so why retain an attorney? Consider the following when thinking about legal representation.

• An experienced attorney knows the twist and turns of the entire filing and appealing process.
• A lawyer has the legal judgment to present a case accurately and in the most favorable light for a client.
• An attorney becomes accustomed to working with an adjudicating agency and with individual claims examiners and hearing officials.
• In law school an attorney is trained to think critically and write effectively.
• A lawyer researches statutory law and case law and understands legal language and interpretation
• An attorney acquires some medical knowledge and a familiarity with reference material, which give him the means of determining the legal significance of a medical report in the context of OWCP rules.
• An attorney listens with professional empathy.

Why should you choose Mr. McNulty as your attorney?

He is a highly experienced attorney who has practiced law in Washington State for over 35 years, the first 20 years in public service and the last 17 in private practice. He has been helping injured federal employees for over 15 years. Mr. McNulty now focuses his practice on representing federal workers' compensation claimants.

Mr. McNulty is not part of an "advocate group" or other clearinghouse operation that attracts a concerned claimant and then hands the case over to a lawyer on a list. Lawyers on that list reflect varying credentials and experience and may require oversight from an entity not directly involved with the client. Clearinghouse websites may ask prospective clients to answer a number of personal questions over the internet before even giving an idea of an attorney's name. In other words, the websites know more about you than you do about them.

When you contact Mr. McNulty's law office, you know exactly who will handle your case and who will be reviewing your personal information. Throughout his representation, Mr. McNulty is the person with whom you will communicate about your case.

Mr. McNulty has been involved in hundreds of oral hearings, both in-person and teleconference. OWCP hearings by telephone have become common and work well. On his client's behalf, Mr. McNulty presents legal argument and cites relevant law. He submits evidence, such as medical reports, and asks the client questions to shape testimony for the record. Mr. McNulty calls into the hearing prepared. His client calls knowing what to expect during the hearing.

If a hearing is not possible or advisable, Mr. McNulty requests reconsideration of an adverse decision with written argument to OWCP. A reconsideration request must include legal argument and/or evidence not previously considered by the district office. That evidence is usually a report from the claimant's physician or a specialist, and Mr. McNulty obtaining a medial report with the required elements is an important step in a case.

Another appeal option is asking the Employees' Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB) to review an unfavorable OWCP decision. To argue a case in review before ECAB, Mr. McNulty writes a brief, which sets out the facts of the case, an argument, and pertinent controlling case law. When writing these expert legal briefs or the similar reconsideration requests, he researches the law himself. Legal writing is Mr. McNulty's particular strength because of his academic background and years of advocacy. See Attorney Profile.

Also see Attorney Profile or FAQs for information about the fee for Mr. McNulty's services.

To email Mr. McNulty click Contact Us. Or call him toll-free at 1-866-327-7012. Keep in mind there are time limits in which to respond to notices and to appeal decisions.