Personal Injury Lawyer

Everyone looks forward to the day they no longer have to get up and go into the office. For some of us, that day comes sooner than for others. And for some, that day isn’t as great as we’ve always dreamed. 

Federal employees are just like private sector employees in that they may be exposed to certain materials or accidents that render them disabled. If you are a federal employee who has been disabled on the job, you may be entitled to disability retirement benefits. While this won’t take away the injuries you’ve suffered, it can help ease your transition into retirement and alleviate some of the costs you may face. 

Why You Need a Lawyer

You may be thinking, “Okay, I have a disability but why do I need a lawyer to get disability retirement benefits?” This is a common question lawyers hear. The short answer is that the federal disability retirement benefit application process is incredibly complex. 

Experienced lawyers have handled many disability retirement benefits for clients just like you. They have the experience you need to make sure the application process goes smoothly, making sure it is mistake free, and most importantly, making sure you get the benefits to which you are entitled. 

Inevitably, an issue can arise during the application process. Additional information about your disability may be required. Maybe you will need to meet with the person processing your application. Lawyers have encountered all of these things before. They know what it takes to get your application through and guide you through the process. You’re already dealing with so much — let an attorney take the burden of the application off your shoulders.

Requirements for Federal Disability Retirement Benefits

There are certain requirements that must be met in order to qualify for federal disability retirement benefits:

• A minimum of five years of federal civil service
• The disability must be caused by disease, injury, or a mental health condition which prohibits you from continuing to work in your current capacity
• The disability must be expected to sideline you for a minimum of one year
• The federal agency for which you work must certify that it is unable to accommodate your disability

That last one can be the most challenging to overcome. The federal government can accommodate employees with disabilities. If they are unable to do so in your current role, they also have the option of relocating you to another position for which you are qualified. The new position must be in the same pay grade and the same agency, but this creates a great deal of options for the federal government. There are many positions always available and one might just meet your needs.

As you can see, the disability retirement benefits application process is complex and requires accuracy and precision. An experienced attorney will have the experience you need to make sure your rights are protected during the application process. Without a lawyer, you could find yourself having to pay for medical expenses and be out of work for injuries you did not cause and you did not ask for. Contact a lawyer, like a disability discrimination lawyer in Washington DC from Eric Siegel Law, today so you can discuss your application and get on the path to recovery.