DOL Releases New Online Tool For Workers’ Compensation Claims

The Employees’ Compensation Operations and Management Portal (ECOMP) is the newest on-line tool created by the Office of Worker’s Compensation Programs (OWCP) to assist with claims processing and tracking. The system permits claimants, representatives, employing agency staff and medical providers to upload documents directly into existing OWCP files through the Internet. ECOMP enables Claims Examiners […]

Texas Letter Carrier Sentenced To 18 Months in Prison for workers comp fraud

Defendant Claimed Reimbursement for More than 500,000 Miles Driven to/from Doctor’s Appointments in Workers’ Compensation Claim DALLAS — Keldrick Hamilton, 34, of Desoto, Texas, was sentenced yesterday afternoon by U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay to 18 months in federal prison and ordered to pay nearly $230,000 in restitution to the U.S. Department of Labor […]

OWCP Issues Statement Regarding USPS, Align Networks Partnership For Physical Therapy Services

Apparently , APWU is not alone with our concerns regarding the partnership between the Postal Service and Align Networks. Recent communications from the United States Postal Service and Align Networks generated enough distress among OWCP officials that its Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation issued a statement earlier today on its website that asserts OWCP as […]

California Postal Worker Sentenced To Prison For Workers’ Compensation Fraud

January 9,2012 FRESNO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that today Chief United States District Judge Anthony W. Ishii sentenced Karina S. Beard, 44, of Turlock, to one year in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for four counts of mail fraud and two counts of federal workers’ […]

APWU-Supported Workers’ Compensation Bill Passes House

Legislator Criticizes Postal Bills’ Approach to Injured Workers The House of Representatives passed bi-partisan legislation supported by the APWU to update benefits for injured federal and postal workers on Nov. 29. Introduced in the House by Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline (R-MN), the bill was co-sponsored by Ranking Minority Member George Miller […]

OWCP Cant’ Pay Injured Federal Employees If USPS Defaults on Upcoming $1.2B Payment

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A fund that compensates federal employees for work-related injuries will run out of cash in the last quarter of 2012 if the U.S. Postal Service defaults on an upcoming $1.2 billion payment, according to the Labor Department. The mail carrier, which has been losing billions of dollars each year, has more than […]

GAO seeking public help in finding Employees abusing Federal Workers’ Comp Program

GAO issued the following press release: Believe You’ve Seen Evidence of Workers’ Compensation Fraud? Contact GAO Abuse of benefits by federal employees can be reported anonymously WASHINGTON, DC (July 14, 2011) – The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is investigating fraud and abuse in the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) program. Specifically, GAO is looking […]

OWCP announces final rule updating procedures for Federal Workers’ Compensation Act claims

Agency issues first major regulation updates since 1999 WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs today released a final rule that revises and modernizes the procedures used in administering claims under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act. The rule, published in the June 28 Federal Register, modernizes those procedures to increase […]

Former Indiana letter carrier charged with workers comp benefits fraud

June 16, 2011 – Hammond, Indiana—The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following: Chopper Loughran, 29, of Lake Station, Indiana, was charged in an indictment with two counts of making false statements in connection with Federal Workers’ Compensation Benefits. Loughran was employed as a United States Postal Service Letter Carrier at the Glen Park, Indiana […]

Two Postal Workers, Psychologist Charged In $1 million Workers Comp Fraud Scheme

(June 14) A Whittier psychologist was arrested this morning following his indictment for allegedly orchestrating a scheme to bill the federal government nearly $1 million for medical treatments for fabricated psychological conditions.  The indictment handed down June 8 charges clinical psychologist Arnold P. Nerenberg, 69, co-founder of the Whittier-based World Legion of Power bodybuilding organization, […]