Performance Goal OWCP 4.2: Work-Related Injuries
Reduce the consequences of workrelated injuries. Other Information:
Providing Workers’ Compensation -- President Obama’s inaugural address ushered in a “new era of responsibility.” A workers’
compensation program is an important way that the federal government takes responsibility for covering workers in particular
industries. Through OWCP, the Department of Labor administers four distinct workers’ compensation programs - the program covering
federal workers was discussed under Outcome Goal 4.1. These programs complement the Department’s vision of good jobs for everyone
by providing income security, medical care benefits, and other supportive services if workers sustain injuries on the job
or develop work-related illnesses. Accurate and timely-delivered benefits and the recovery and return to work assistance provided
by DOL are critical to these workers – especially at a time when the country is facing record levels of unemployment and rising
medical costs.
Stakeholder(s):
- Division of Coal Mine Workers’ Compensation (Black Lung Program or DCMWC): Serving the Coal Mine Community -- The Division of Coal Mine Workers’ Compensation (Black Lung Program or DCMWC) supports
the Secretary’s strategic vision of good jobs for everyone by providing sufficient income for Black Lung beneficiaries. The
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 had a significant effect on the Black Lung Benefits Act, as it reinstated
two provisions in the Act that had been removed in 1981 for claims filed on or after January 1, 1982. Both these provisions,
including automatic entitlement for survivors of miners who have been awarded benefits and a presumption that a miner who
has worked in coal mines for at least 15 years and has a totally disabling lung condition has pneumoconiosis even in the absence
of a negative x-ray, are favorable to claimants. The Program is reaching out to stakeholders to develop common ground in implementing
these amendments. The amendments ultimately increase the accessibility of benefits to survivors of miners and miners that
meet certain eligibility criteria. In addition to its own outreach efforts, the Black Lung Program is also a partner in the
MSHA initiative to End Black Lung Now – which seeks to end black lung disease through a comprehensive action plan of education,
enhanced enforcement, training, and rulemaking. DCMWC will work to ensure workers or their survivors are aware of the program
and standards and procedures for filing claims are clear to all of the parties.
- Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation (DLHWC): Increased Claims from Contractors Used in Wartime -- The Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation (DLHWC) implements
the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, as amended. DLHWC administers a program of income replacement and medical
and rehabilitation benefits for individuals who are injured during the course of covered maritime employment or who suffer
an occupational disease arising from such employment. DLHWC also administers injury and occupational disease coverage for
non-maritime employees under several extensions of the Act, including the Defense Base Act (DBA), Outer Continental Shelf
Lands Act, Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentalities Act (NFIA), and the District of Columbia Workmen’s Compensation Act for
injuries sustained prior to July 26, 1982. The Nation’s expanded use of private contractor resources to support the wars in
Iraq and Afghanistan increased the number of deaths and injuries compensable under DBA and the War Hazards Compensation Act.
War-time DBA injury and death cases have been increasing dramatically since FY 2002. These claims are complicated due to a
variety of factors, including: confusion about insurance coverage in the war zones; challenges in initial reporting and documenting
of new injuries; limited medical care in remote areas, and difficulties in delivering benefits to foreign workers in remote
villages. DLWHC is working with American employers to speed injury reporting by urging insurance carriers to promptly investigate,
decide claims, and deliver benefits. DLWHC also assists the parties in the development of evidence and in resolution of disputes.
- Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA or Energy Program): Timely Payments to Energy Employees The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA or Energy
Program) provides compensation to thousands of persons who have become ill as a result of work in the atomic weapons industry.
Since the Act’s passage, OWCP has paid over $5.7 billion dollars in compensation benefits. To streamline the claims adjudication
process and allow for more efficient claims tracking, EEOICP is deploying a new case management information technology system
in FY 2011. Over the next five years, this system will be modified to allow the EEOICPA program to become paperless and further
improve speed, efficiency, and transparency.
Indicator(s):
|
