Printing - FECA-PT2 - United States Department of Labor

j. Schedule Awards. The FECA also provides for payment of compensation for
permanent loss or loss of use (either partial or total) of certain internal organs and
members or functions of the body such as arms, legs, hands, feet, fingers, toes,
eyes, and loss of hearing or loss of vision. Each extremity or function has been rated
at a specific number of weeks of compensation which can be paid even though the
employee returns to work at full salary. Where a serious disfigurement of the head,
face, or neck results from a job-related injury, an award may also be made for such
disfigurement, not to exceed $3,500. See FECA PM 2-808.
k. Survivor Benefits. In the event of death due to employment, the Act provides
for funeral and burial expenses up to $800, and up to $200 for the administrative
costs of terminating a decedent's status as a Federal employee. The law provides
compensation for widows or widowers with no eligible children at the rate of 50
percent of the deceased employee's monthly salary, and for widows or widowers with
eligible children at 45 percent. If a spouse survives, each child receives 15 percent,
up to total of 30 percent. Where no spouse survives, the rate for the first child is 40
percent, plus 15 percent for each additional child, shared equally among all children.
Monthly payments for all beneficiaries generally cannot exceed 75 percent of the
employee's monthly pay rate. Other persons who may also qualify for benefits are
dependent parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, and grandchildren. See FECA
PM 2-700.
l. Cost-of-Living Adjustments. In general, if compensation has been paid in
either a disability or death case for over a year, Consumer Price Index (CPI)
adjustments are made to compensation. See FECA PM 2-900.
m. Third Party Liability. Where an employee's compensable injury or death
results from circumstances creating a legal liability on some party other than the
United States, the cost of compensation and other benefits paid by the OWCP must
be refunded from any settlement obtained. The OWCP will assist in obtaining the
settlement; the law guarantees that a certain proportion of the settlement (after any
attorney fees and costs are first deducted) may be retained even when the cost of
compensation and other benefits exceeds the amount of the settlement. See FECA
PM 2-1100.
n. Dual Benefits. The law provides that compensation may not be paid
concurrently with certain benefits paid by other Federal agencies. In particular,
compensation and a retirement annuity from OPM may not be paid for the same
period except where OWCP is paying a schedule award, and veterans' benefits may
be subject to offset as well. See FECA PM 2-1000.