Attorney Representation in Federal Disability Claims: Directions

Last Updated on August 31, 2022

The crude form of the proverbial image formulated is:  Up the creek without a paddle, but normally with an epithet inserted.  It portrays a vivid scene of being in a symbolic state, directionless and without a means of guiding or maneuvering.  One is thus subject to the winds of time, the vicissitudes of circumstances beyond one’s control, immediate or otherwise, and where a growing storm of unforeseen proportions and magnitude is coming at a rate of ferocity uncontrollable and unable to be prepared for.

People with chronic medical conditions have that sense of progressive disintegration, where the things that one has worked and strived so hard to achieve, are now in danger of loss and ruination.

For the disabled Federal employee or the injured Postal worker who suffers from a serious car or truck accident or any other health condition or medical tragedy (yes, yes, the injury or medical condition doesn’t need to be job-related), such that the chronic medical condition is impacting the capacity and ability to perform all of the basic elements of one’s job, the growing fear of being swept aside by slow, insidious and deliberative steps by the agency — of a poor performance review; of initiating a “Performance Improvement Plan“, or a PIP; of threats of separation and termination because of one’s absenteeism and exhaustive use of LWOP; all point towards an inevitable direction which is far from the destination that the Federal or Postal employee wants to arrive at.

Lifeboats are funny things; they may save the life, but without a paddle, one may drift and yet fail to survive for lack of food or water.  Sustenance is the key to a life worthy of living.

For the Federal employee or Postal Service worker under the FERS retirement system, when a medical condition begins to threaten one’s employment with the Federal agency or the U.S. Postal Service, it may be time to consider filing for FERS Disability Retirement benefits.

Filed through one’s agency if one is still employed or separated from Federal Service but not for more than thirty one (31) days, the application is ultimately processed through the U.S. Office of Personnel Management for a determination of eligibility and entitlement.  It is a benefit which, in and of itself, provides for a basic annuity such that the sustenance of a livelihood is provided for, in order for the U.S. Federal Government employee or Postal Service worker to attend to one’s health, and continue to look to a brighter future in the years ahead.

Thus, in that sense, FERS Disability Retirement is the needed oar for the man or woman in the proverbial boat, stranded up the mythological creek, waiting for the means to direct the drifting dictation of life’s daring demands.

Sincerely,

Robert R. McGill, Esquire

 

1 thought on “Attorney Representation in Federal Disability Claims: Directions”

  1. What is the percentage of people who become disabled and then get bad eval, letter of reprimand, PIP, threats of termination, LWOP, etc….?

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