Phase 2: Medical Evaluation & Impairment Rating (4–8 Weeks)
: The rating must be performed by a physician using the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (6th Edition) . owcp schedule award timeline
The timeline cannot officially begin until an injured worker reaches . This is the point at which a physician determines the injury has stabilized and is not expected to improve significantly with further treatment. Phase 2: Medical Evaluation & Impairment Rating (4–8
: The report must follow the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 6th Edition . Ratings based on older editions are automatically denied. : The report must follow the AMA Guides
This is where most employees ask: "Where is my money?"
Understanding each phase of this "bureaucratic machine" can help you manage expectations and avoid common pitfalls that trigger unnecessary delays. Phase 1: Reaching Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)
Federal employees who suffer a permanent injury to specific body parts—such as limbs, eyes, or ears—may be entitled to compensation under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) through a . Unlike continuous compensation for wage loss, a Schedule Award provides a fixed payment for a specific number of weeks based on the percentage of permanent impairment.