If you are a federal worker who suffers from a disabling medical condition, and your agency is unable to accommodate the disability in your current job or at any vacant job within the agency at the same grade or pay level, you may be eligible for federal disability retirement benefits.
To be eligible for these benefits, you do not need to suffer from a work-related disability. In fact, many federal employees suffer an injury outside of the workplace that hinders their ability to do their job.
Even though your disability may not qualify you for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, you may still be allowed to collect disability retirement benefits through the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
At Harris Federal, we can review your case and help you to determine whether your medical condition qualifies you for these important benefits and whether you meet other requirements. Simply call or submit our online form today for a free consultation.
As we have found, the following are common types of injuries that prompt federal workers to seek disability retirement benefits:
- Back injuries – These injuries commonly involve damage to the spine, vertebrae, discs or muscles of the back. Back injuries can make sitting, standing, reaching, bending or lifting very painful.
- Head injuries – Brain injuries may cause long-term physical and psychological disabilities. Brain damage can lead to seizures, confusion, thinking impairment, communication problems and more. Head injuries can include retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage and optic nerve damage.
- Neck injuries – Neck pain can occur from sitting too long. For instance, this condition may arise from working at a computer for long hours, sleeping in an awkward position or overexerting while exercising. Serious neck injury is possible due to falls, car accidents or sports accidents.
- Knee injuries – Knees take the brunt of physical activity. Injuries commonly include fractures, torn ligaments or tendons, dislocations and sprains. A person may never reach a full recovery after one of these injuries.
- Hip injuries – Overuse from certain activities, sports injuries and falls can cause joint erosion, strains, bursitis, fractures and dislocations. Osteoporosis can result in weaker hip bones, leading to fractures.
- Shoulder injuries – Sprains, strains, tendinitis, bursitis, arthritis, frozen shoulder, torn rotator cuffs, dislocations and separations are common shoulder injuries that prevent workers from being able to do their jobs.
- Hand and wrist injuries – Fingers, hands and wrists can be sprained and fractured. Tendon and nerve injuries may occur as well. These injuries commonly happen with falls, impacts, overstretching and overuse.
- Eye injuries – These injuries can happen to the eyeball, eye socket or eyelids and skin around the eyes. Lacerations, trauma from sharp objects, fractures of the bone socket, scratched corneas and burns can occur. Eye injuries can be mild and heal quickly. Others can lead to prolonged pain, reduced vision or even blindness.
- Burn injuries – These can range from mild, first-degree burns to severe third- and fourth-degree burns. They can be caused by exposure to hot liquids, fire, radiation, chemicals, excessive sun exposure and electrical sources. Electrical and chemical burns can cause internal damage, even if there is minimal skin damage.
- Ankle and foot injuries – Sprains and fractures to toes, feet or ankles are common. They can cause difficulty with walking or standing. Some injuries require immobilization or the use of crutches or wheelchairs until healed.
- Loss of limb and amputations – Traumatic loss of limb or subsequent amputations can occur as the result of an accident, injury or disease.
Our Firm Helps Federal Workers with Disabilities
Some federal employees think that, if an injury arose outside of the workplace, they do not qualify for federal disability retirement benefits. This is not correct. Even if you seek other non-federal employment because your injury keeps you from performing your federal job, you may still be eligible to receive benefits.
At Harris Federal, we look out for you, making sure you understand all of the benefits you are entitled to receive if you are disabled and cannot perform some functions or your entire job. As professionals, we make sure all your documentation is correct and filed on time.
We can help you if you are a federal worker located anywhere in the U.S. Contact us today to learn more.
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