In the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP), a Schedule Award refers to a predetermined schedule of payments for impairment of extremities (such as arms and legs) or other allowed body parts as defined by the Department of Labor OWCP. This means that if you meet the criteria for an OWCP Schedule Award, depending on the body part that was injured, you may be entitled to a financial award based on a specific number of weeks outlined in the OWCP impairment chart. [INSERT SCHEDULE AWARD CHART]
It is worth noting that the impairment chart does not include a specific schedule for the spine, including cervical, thoracic, and lumbar areas. However, if the injuries to the spine result in symptoms that radiate into the extremities or cause other permanent impairments to the extremities, the rating for the impairment will be based on the extremities rather than the spine.
The payments for OWCP Schedule Awards can vary, ranging from small to significantly large, depending on the level of permanent impairment as determined by your OWCP Injury Doctor. However, to be eligible for a Schedule Award, your OWCP injury claim must first be approved by your DOL claims examiner. The choice of doctor plays a crucial role in getting your OWCP claim approved successfully. The knowledgeable team at Fed Med can provide valuable assistance in navigating the complex process of getting your claim approved.
Here are the key steps to obtain a Schedule Award through OWCP:
MMI refers to the point at which your doctor determines that you have achieved the best possible medical improvement. At that stage, your doctor should conduct an Impairment Rating according to the American Medical Association’s 6th Edition Guide to Permanent Impairment. Please note that some doctors may only be familiar with the 5th edition, which will result in denial of your claim. Therefore, always ensure that your doctor is trained in performing 6th edition impairment ratings for OWCP.
