If you work for the federal government and get hurt on the job, you have rights that most people don’t fully understand – including the right to choose your own doctor and receive treatment without using your sick or vacation time. At Kaurich Chiropractic & Wellness Center in South Bend, we are the only approved Federal Injury Centers location in the entire state of Indiana, and we help federal employees navigate this process every day.
Who Qualifies for Federal Workers’ Compensation?
Federal workers’ compensation is governed by the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) and administered by the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). This coverage applies to civilian employees across all federal agencies – not just one or two.
If you work for any of the following, you are usually covered:
- United States Postal Service (USPS)
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
- U.S. Border Protection Agency
- Social Security Administration (SSA)
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- Department of Defense (DOD)
- All other federal civilian agencies
In the Michiana region, we most commonly see postal workers, VA staff, and TSA officers from the South Bend Airport – but any federal employee hurt on the job is welcome here.
What Is FECA and Why Does It Matter?
FECA is the law that protects you after a work-related injury. It provides coverage for medical treatment, wage replacement if you miss work, and compensation for permanent impairment in serious cases. The key word is “work-related” – the injury has to happen in the course of your federal duties, but that includes a wide range of situations.
Back injuries from lifting mail trays. Shoulder injuries from repetitive sorting. Slip-and-fall accidents at a federal facility. Knee problems from years of walking a postal route. These all qualify. So do vehicle accidents that occur during work hours, carpal tunnel from repetitive tasks, and strain injuries that develop gradually over time.
The problem is that most injured federal workers don’t know exactly what to do after they get hurt, and mistakes in the early stages can jeopardize the entire claim. That’s where having an experienced provider in your corner makes a real difference.
You Have the Right to Choose Your Own Doctor
This is one of the most important things to understand. Under FECA, you are not required to see a doctor chosen by your agency or your supervisor. You have the right to select your own treating physician – and that choice matters enormously for your care and your claim.
Choosing a provider who understands OWCP documentation requirements means your medical records will be organized, your objective findings will be properly documented, and your work restrictions will be clearly communicated. Providers who aren’t experienced with OWCP often submit paperwork that is incomplete or inconsistent, which is one of the most common reasons claims get delayed or denied.
As the only Federal Injury Centers clinic in Indiana, our team at Kaurich Chiropractic & Wellness Center is specifically trained in OWCP claims and documentation. We’ve seen what happens when federal employees go to providers who aren’t familiar with the process, and it’s often a much harder road.
You Don’t Have to Use Your Sick or Vacation Time
Many federal employees don’t realize that when an OWCP claim is properly filed, FECA wage loss benefits can cover time away from work – meaning you don’t have to burn through your own leave. This is a significant benefit that gets lost when claims are filed incorrectly or too late.
We help our patients with OWCP paperwork at no additional cost. Our goal is to make sure your claim is filed correctly from the start so you can focus on getting better, not on fighting bureaucratic red tape.
What to Do After a Federal Work Injury
The steps you take in the first days after a work injury matter a lot. Here’s a general overview of what the process looks like:
Report the Injury to Your Supervisor Immediately
You should report any work-related injury to your supervisor as soon as possible. Delays in reporting can create complications with your claim later on. Don’t wait to see if the pain goes away on its own – report it and get it documented.
Seek Medical Treatment Promptly
Getting medical attention quickly does two things. First, it gets you on a treatment plan that can actually help you heal. Second, it creates a clear medical record linking your injury to your work duties – which is essential for your OWCP claim.
If you are dealing with back pain, neck pain, a shoulder injury, knee problems, or any musculoskeletal issue from your federal job, chiropractic care combined with physical therapy is often one of the most effective treatment paths – and both are covered under OWCP.
File the Right Forms
OWCP claims require specific forms, and getting them right is critical. We assist our patients with this paperwork at no charge. We also keep organized records of your treatment progress, objective clinical findings, and work restriction documentation – everything your claim needs to stay on track.
Common Injuries We Treat Under Federal Workers’ Comp
In our nearly 30 years serving the South Bend and Michiana area, Dr. Kevin Kaurich has treated a wide range of federal work injuries. The most common ones we see include:
- Back and neck injuries from lifting, bending, or prolonged physical demands
- Shoulder and knee injuries from repetitive motion or falls
- Carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive hand and wrist tasks
- Slip-and-fall injuries at postal facilities, VA campuses, or other federal sites
- Vehicle-related injuries that occur during federal duties
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries from work-related accidents
Many of these injuries respond very well to conservative, non-surgical care. Our integrated approach – combining chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, and therapeutic exercises – is designed to get you back to work and feeling like yourself again without surgery or long-term medication dependence.
Why Federal Employees in Indiana Come to Kaurich Chiropractic
There are chiropractors throughout northern Indiana, but there is only one Federal Injury Centers approved location in the entire state – and that’s us. This designation isn’t just a title. It means our team is trained in the specific requirements of OWCP claims, federal documentation standards, and the nuances of FECA that general practitioners often aren’t familiar with.
We’ve helped postal workers from South Bend and surrounding communities get their claims approved and their injuries treated properly. We’ve helped VA employees and TSA officers who had no idea where to turn after a workplace injury. And we’ve helped federal workers who had already been through a difficult claims experience with another provider get back on track.
If you’re a federal employee and you’ve been hurt on the job, you deserve a provider who knows this system as well as you know your own job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it cost me anything to be treated at Kaurich Chiropractic under OWCP?
When your OWCP claim is properly filed and accepted, treatment is billed directly to the Department of Labor. You should not have out-of-pocket costs for covered treatment. We also assist with paperwork at no charge.
What if my claim has already been denied?
A denied claim is not necessarily the end of the road. We can review your situation, ensure that documentation is complete and accurate, and help you understand your options. We recommend contacting us as soon as possible if you’ve received a denial.
Can I switch to Kaurich Chiropractic if I’ve already been seeing another doctor?
In most cases, yes. Federal employees generally have the right to change their treating physician. We can walk you through what that process looks like for your specific situation.
If you are a federal employee in South Bend, Mishawaka, or anywhere in the Michiana area and you’ve been injured on the job, we’re here to help. Call us at 574-282-2828 or schedule an appointment online – and let’s make sure your injury gets the treatment and documentation it deserves.
