Is a Schedule Award Considered a Settlement?

Understanding Your Rights Under OWCP With Help From Restore Muscle & Joint in Kansas City

If you’re a federal employee recovering from a work-related injury and navigating the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP), you may have heard the term “schedule award.” A common question is: “Is a schedule award considered a settlement?” The short answer is no, but understanding why — and how this award works — can help you make the most of your federal workers’ compensation benefits.

What Is a Schedule Award?

A schedule award is a form of compensation provided to injured federal employees who have sustained a permanent impairment to a body part listed on the Department of Labor’s schedule — such as the arms, legs, eyes, or hearing. It’s a lump sum or series of payments that reflects the degree of permanent loss of use, not your lost wages or medical expenses.

How Is a Schedule Award Different From a Settlement?

While they may sound similar, a schedule award is not a legal settlement. Here’s how they differ:

Schedule Award Settlement

  • Issued by OWCP under FECA (Federal Employees’ Compensation Act) Common in personal injury or state workers’ comp cases
  • Based on permanent impairment rating Based on negotiation, often includes all damages
  • Does not waive future rights to medical care or wage loss benefits Often requires giving up future claims
  • Calculated using a medical impairment rating and a fixed schedule Negotiated between parties, with legal input

In essence, a schedule award is an entitlement, not a negotiated agreement.

Who Qualifies for a Schedule Award?

You may be eligible for a schedule award if:

  • You’re a federal employee covered by OWCP.
  • You’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI).
  • You have a permanent impairment to a scheduled body part (arm, leg, hand, foot, hearing, etc.).
  • A qualified physician performs an impairment rating using AMA Guides (currently the 6th Edition).

Why Medical Documentation Matters

Receiving a proper schedule award starts with an accurate impairment rating. That’s why working with experienced OWCP and schedule award doctors is essential. Your provider must understand OWCP rules, documentation requirements, and how to translate your injury into a legitimate impairment rating that OWCP will accept.

Trust the OWCP Experts at Restore Muscle & Joint in Kansas City

At Restore Muscle & Joint, our OWCP-certified doctors have extensive experience helping injured federal workers secure the maximum schedule award they deserve. We:

  • Perform detailed impairment ratings in compliance with AMA guidelines.
  • Provide thorough, OWCP-compliant documentation.
  • Offer ongoing care to ensure you’re fully supported — even after your award is issued.

We proudly serve Kansas City federal employees, including postal workers, TSA agents, and VA employees, with compassionate care and expert guidance through the OWCP process.

Final Thoughts: Know Your Rights, Maximize Your Benefits

While a schedule award is not a settlement, it is a valuable benefit that can compensate you for the permanent effects of a workplace injury. Don’t leave money on the table by working with doctors unfamiliar with OWCP.

Let the experienced team at Restore Muscle & Joint in Kansas City help you navigate your federal workers’ compensation claim and pursue the schedule award you’ve earned.