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Public Employees

Public employees are those who work for a government agency, whether at the federal, state or local level. This includes people who work in civil service jobs for the Internal Revenue Service, United States Postal Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, those who hold public office, bureaucrats and many more. All public employees are paid directly by the government.

Injuries Common to Public Employees

Some employees in the public sector are at higher risk of injury than others. Police officers, firefighters and correction officers have inherently more dangerous jobs; but park rangers, postal workers, and sanitation workers also have risks associated with their professions and suffer injuries at a rate higher than average.

Depending on the job, public employees can experience injuries such as:

• Head injuries and lacerations from violent assault
• Gunshot wounds
• Broken bones from falls
• Sprains and strains from overexertion
• Exposure to toxic chemicals such as lead and asbestos that can lead to occupational illnesses
• High levels of stress that result in conditions like PTSD
• Crushing injuries from motor vehicle accidents
• Dog bites

Those public employees working in more traditional office environments are still subject to a range of work injuries that include slip and falls, repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, and respiratory diseases.

Workers’ Compensation for Public Employees

Government workers generally have a separate set of regulations for Workers’ Compensation. There are different programs available depending on whether you are employed at the federal, state or local level. Certain professions such as longshoremen and railroad workers have their own set of regulations.

Working with an experienced Workers’ Compensation attorney can ensure your claim goes to the appropriate agency responsible for providing your benefits.

Federal workers who are disabled or killed as the result of an injury or disease sustained while on the job have access to benefits under the Federal Employee’s Compensation Act (FECA). FECA provides medical benefits, wage loss compensation and vocational rehabilitation services. Surviving dependents of a worker who suffers a fatality are entitled to compensation and payment towards burial expenses. All federal employees, no matter their position or length of service, are eligible for FECA.

Benefits for employees of state and local governments are governed by state workers’ compensation statutes and the human resources department of their county or city. Many states prohibit Workers’ Compensation benefits for state officials and also have specific provisions for police officers, firefighters, and sanitation workers.

Specialized Coverage

Several occupations have federal acts that cover their Workers’ Compensation benefits including:

• Seamen who are covered by the Jones Act
• Longshoremen, dockworkers, and others working on a marina are provided for by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
• Railroad workers and others working in interstate transportation have access to the Federal Employer’s Liability Act
• Employees working on U.S. defense bases or public works projects outside the country are covered by the Defense Base Act

The range of benefit programs available to injured public employees is vastly different from standard Workers’ Compensation claims. To avoid any delay in receiving your benefits it is highly advisable to seek the counsel of a Workers’ Compensation lawyer experienced in dealing with these specialized programs.