An attorney for federal employees can represent you in the unique legal issues these federal employees face. Aside from the usual employment issues all employees face, such as discrimination, retaliation, disability accommodations, federal employees also experience problems related to the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), and retirement and health insurance benefit issues (FERS, FEHB).
Like most private sector workers, federal employees my experience labor issues related to discrimination, wage and hour law violations, retaliation, and disability accommodations.
Federal employees have a cause of action against their employer when they face discrimination due to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or religion.
Federal employees may also be affected when they experience retaliation for reporting workplace violations or engaging in protected activities.
Federal employees may be eligible for disability benefits under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) in case a medical condition prevents the federal employee from performing useful and efficient service in the job. The benefits can range from thousands of dollars a month to millions in over the lifetime of the federal employee.
Claiming these benefits can be a complicated process. Complete disability is not required, and there is no need to show that the disability arose from a job-related injury or occupational disease. It, however, needs a doctor’s certificate stating that the claimed disability will last 12 months or more, and that the federal agency employer attempted to but could not accommodate the employee in the current position with the medical condition.
Having an attorney for federal employees to guide you through the process of application can ensure a higher degree of success in claiming disability benefits with FERS. You can also request for the assistance of an attorney for federal employees to help you in filing an appeal in case your application for disability has been denied.
The Federal Employees Health Benefits program is a health insurance program offered to federal employees, retirees, and their eligible family members. You may need an attorney for federal employees when appealing a denied claim with the Office of Personnel Management or when seeking retention of FEHB coverage after divorce.
The procedure for claims with your FEHB-insurance company should be provided in each FEHB plan brochure. However, if this claim is denied, you can appeal the denied claim with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). OPM will send an acknowledgement and may request for more information within 14 days of receipt of your appeal, if required. Otherwise, it would give a final decision within 60 days. If OPM still denies your claim, you can file a suit in federal court. An attorney for federal employees lawyer will be able to help you carefully read the language of your plan’s brochure to identify how your claim can be made stronger through the preparation of detailed legal arguments and the submission of supporting documents.
FEHB coverage may also be an issue among divorcing spouses. An attorney for federal employees can help the non-federal employee spouse in maintaining coverage despite the divorce. Generally, you must have been in your ex-spouse’s plan at any point in the 18 months prior to the divorce, must be eligible to receive a portion of your ex-spouse’s retirement or survival annuity, and must have applied to the appropriate federal government agency’s employment office for continued benefits within 60 days from finality of divorce.
Navigating the legal issues related to federal employees can be a complicated matter. Having an attorney for federal employees to assist and guide you is essential in successfully achieving your objectives. We at the Law Offices of Albert Goodwin, are here for you. We have offices in New York, NY, Brooklyn, NY and Queens, NY. You can call us at 212-233-1233 or send us an email at [email protected].