Federal Workers' Compensation Doctors in Melbourne, FL
Hurt on the job as a federal employee? Your injury falls under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA), not Florida workers' comp. Our Melbourne clinic treats injured federal workers and produces the medical evidence FECA claims are decided on.
- FECA / OWCP claims accepted
- You choose your doctor
- $0 copay on accepted claims
What is federal workers' compensation?
Federal workers' compensation is the no-fault benefit program for civilian U.S. government employees injured or made ill by their work. It is created by the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA), 5 U.S.C. § 8101 et seq., and run by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP). It pays for medical care, replaces lost wages and covers permanent impairment. Injured federal employees may choose their own treating doctor.
In Brevard County, Brevard Accident & Work Injury Centers (Federal Injury Centers of Brevard County), 2090 Sarno Rd, Melbourne, FL, treats federal workers' comp patients. Call (321) 608-8888.
Who Federal Workers' Comp Covers (and Who It Doesn't)
On the Space Coast, federal employees and federal contractors often work side by side. That difference decides which system covers your injury.
Covered by FECA
- Civilian employees of federal agencies (VA, DoD, TSA, FAA, BOP, NASA civil servants and more)
- U.S. Postal Service carriers, clerks and mail handlers
- Civilian employees at Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
- Full-time, part-time, seasonal and temporary federal employees
- Certain others named in the law, such as Peace Corps volunteers
Generally not covered by FECA
- Private contractors' employees, including many working at Kennedy Space Center (usually covered by their employer's Florida workers' comp)
- Active-duty military members (covered through military and VA systems)
- State, county and city government employees (Florida workers' comp)
Not sure which applies to you? Call us and we'll help you figure out where to start.
Federal Workmans Comp vs. Florida Workers' Comp
People call it federal work comp, federal workmans comp or federal workers' compensation. Whatever the name, it runs on different rules than Florida's system.
| Federal (FECA) | Florida workers' comp | |
|---|---|---|
| Law | Federal Employees' Compensation Act, 5 U.S.C. § 8101 et seq. | Florida Statutes Chapter 440 |
| Who decides claims | U.S. Department of Labor, OWCP | Employer's insurance carrier |
| Choice of doctor | Employee initially selects their own physician | Carrier generally authorizes the treating provider |
| Wage-loss rate | 66⅔% of pay, or 75% with dependents | 66⅔% of average weekly wage, up to a state maximum |
| Salary continuation | Up to 45 days of continuation of pay (traumatic injury) | None |
| Appeals | OWCP hearing or reconsideration, then the Employees' Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB) | Florida Judges of Compensation Claims |
| Main forms | CA-1, CA-2, CA-7, CA-16, CA-17, CA-20 (filed through ECOMP) | DWC-1 and carrier forms |
General information, not legal advice. Your situation may have exceptions.
What the Federal Employees' Compensation Act Provides
Nearly every FECA benefit depends on medical evidence, which is why your choice of doctor matters.
Medical care
Treatment for the accepted condition, paid by OWCP directly to the provider. No copays or deductibles on accepted claims.
Continuation of pay (COP)
For traumatic injuries, your agency keeps paying your regular salary for up to 45 days if you file a CA-1 within 30 days.
Wage-loss compensation
66⅔% of pay, or 75% with dependents, when your injury keeps you from working. Claimed on the CA-7.
Schedule awards
Payment for permanent loss or loss of use of certain body parts, based on a medical impairment rating.
Vocational rehabilitation
Help returning to work, including retraining, when you can't go back to your old job.
Survivor benefits
Compensation for eligible survivors when a work injury or illness results in death.
What a Doctor Who Treats Injured Federal Workers Actually Does
OWCP decides your claim on paper. Your diagnosis, your treatment and your time off work are only approved when your physician's reports support them, and OWCP expects a rationalized medical opinion: a clear medical explanation of how your federal job caused or aggravated your condition.
A federal workers' compensation doctor who knows the system:
- Documents how the injury happened and why it's work-related
- Completes the CA-20 attending physician's report and CA-17 duty status reports
- Fills out OWCP-5c work capacity evaluations when requested
- Responds promptly when OWCP asks for more medical evidence
- Keeps work restrictions current so your agency and OWCP stay in sync
Under FECA, chiropractors count as physicians only for manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation shown on X-ray (5 U.S.C. § 8101(2)). That's why our chiropractic, medical and physical therapy providers work as one coordinated team.
The FECA Claim Process, From Injury to Recovery
- 1Right away
Report the injury and get care
Tell your supervisor. For a traumatic injury, ask your agency for a CA-16 authorization for examination and treatment.
- 2Within 30 days
File your claim
File a CA-1 for a traumatic injury (within 30 days to keep continuation of pay) or a CA-2 for an occupational disease, through the DOL's ECOMP portal.
- 3Your choice
Choose your treating physician
FECA lets you select your own doctor. Changing doctors later generally requires OWCP approval, so choose a FECA-experienced clinic from the start.
- 4Ongoing
Treatment and documentation
Your doctor treats you and sends OWCP the reports it needs. If you're out of work after COP ends, you file a CA-7 for wage-loss compensation.
- 5If needed
OWCP medical exams
OWCP may send you for a second opinion exam. If medical opinions conflict, it may appoint a referee physician. Your treating doctor's reports remain a key part of the record.
- 6Goal
Recovery and return to work
Treatment continues as long as it's medically needed for the accepted condition, with restrictions updated as you improve.
Overall deadline: an original FECA claim must generally be filed within 3 years of the injury (5 U.S.C. § 8122).
If Your Federal Workers' Comp Claim Was Denied
Many FECA denials come down to missing or weak medical evidence, especially on causation. OWCP decisions include appeal rights, and each has a deadline:
Hearing or review of the written record
Request an oral hearing or a review of the written record before OWCP's Branch of Hearings and Review.
Reconsideration
Ask OWCP to reconsider, usually with new and relevant evidence such as a stronger medical opinion.
ECAB appeal
Appeal to the Employees' Compensation Appeals Board, which reviews the existing record.
We provide medical evaluations and documentation. We don't give legal advice. For appeal strategy, talk with a FECA attorney or your union representative, and always follow the instructions in your decision letter.
Common Federal Work Injuries We Treat in Brevard County
- Back injuries & disc problems
- Neck injuries
- Shoulder & rotator cuff injuries
- Knee injuries
- Carpal tunnel & repetitive strain
- Slip, trip & fall injuries
- Lifting injuries
- On-duty motor vehicle accidents
- Sprains & strains
- Overuse injuries from mail routes
- Aggravation of prior conditions
A Brevard Clinic Built Around Federal Workers' Compensation
- One location, coordinated care: chiropractic, medical evaluation, physical therapy and massage therapy in Melbourne
- FECA documentation: causation narratives, CA-20s and CA-17s handled by our team
- Fast access: case manager outreach, often the same day
- Direct OWCP billing on accepted claims, with no copays
- Serving all of Brevard: Melbourne, Palm Bay, Viera, Rockledge, Cocoa, Merritt Island, Titusville and the beaches
Dr. David Dorfman, DC
Executive Director. In practice since 1997 and in Melbourne since 2012, with specialized training in managing Federal Workers' Compensation cases.
Read Dr. Dorfman's full bio →"The team provided excellent customer and medical support throughout my DOL claim process… If you want your documentation completed correctly the first time, I highly recommend this practice."
Federal Workers' Compensation Questions, Answered
What is the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA)?
FECA (5 U.S.C. § 8101 et seq.) is the federal law that provides workers' compensation to civilian U.S. government employees who are injured or become ill because of their work. It is administered by the Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) and pays for medical care, lost wages, schedule awards for permanent impairment, vocational rehabilitation and survivor benefits.
Who is covered by federal workers' compensation?
FECA covers civilian federal employees, including U.S. Postal Service workers and civilian staff at agencies such as the VA, DoD, TSA, FAA, Bureau of Prisons and NASA. It also covers certain groups named in the law, such as Peace Corps volunteers. Active-duty military members, state and local government employees, and private contractors' employees are generally not covered by FECA.
Can I choose my own doctor for federal workers' comp?
Yes. Under 5 U.S.C. § 8103, an injured federal employee may initially select their own physician. After treatment starts, changing physicians generally requires OWCP approval, so it pays to choose a doctor experienced with FECA claims from the beginning.
Is federal workmans comp the same as Florida workers' comp?
No. Federal workers' compensation (often called federal work comp or federal workmans comp) is governed by FECA and decided by the U.S. Department of Labor. Florida workers' compensation is governed by Chapter 440 of the Florida Statutes and handled by employers' insurance carriers. Federal employees in Florida file under FECA, not the state system.
How much does federal workers' compensation pay?
FECA pays 66⅔% of your pay for total disability, or 75% if you have at least one dependent. For traumatic injuries, your agency may continue your regular pay for up to 45 days (continuation of pay) if you file a CA-1 within 30 days. Medical care for the accepted condition is paid by OWCP with no copays.
How long do I have to file a FECA claim?
An original FECA claim generally must be filed within 3 years of the injury, or within 3 years of when you became aware your condition was caused by your employment. To keep eligibility for continuation of pay on a traumatic injury, file the CA-1 within 30 days.
What does a federal workers' compensation doctor need to show?
OWCP needs a rationalized medical opinion: a diagnosis plus a clear medical explanation of how your federal job duties or a specific work incident caused or aggravated your condition. Your doctor also documents your work restrictions on the CA-17 and your diagnosis and treatment on the CA-20.
Are NASA contractors at Kennedy Space Center covered by FECA?
Generally no. FECA covers federal employees, including NASA civil servants. Employees of private companies under contract at Kennedy Space Center or the Space Force stations are usually covered by their employer's Florida workers' compensation insurance instead.
Can a chiropractor be my doctor for a FECA claim?
Yes, within limits. Under 5 U.S.C. § 8101(2), a chiropractor is considered a physician under FECA only for manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation demonstrated by X-ray. Other care is provided and documented by our medical and physical therapy providers.
What if my federal workers' comp claim is denied?
You can request an oral hearing or a review of the written record within 30 days of the decision, ask OWCP for reconsideration within 1 year, or appeal to the Employees' Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB) within 180 days. Many denials turn on medical evidence, so a thorough medical opinion from your treating doctor matters. Consider talking with a FECA attorney or union representative about appeal strategy.
Request a Consultation
Tell us a little about your injury and your claim status. Our case manager will reach out to schedule your intake, usually the same business day.
(321) 608-8888Helpful to have ready
- Your OWCP claim number (if assigned)
- CA-16 authorization, if your agency issued one
- Date and description of the injury
- Your agency and supervisor contact info
- Any prior imaging or medical records
