Does the Number of Surgeries Make a Difference in My Schedule Award?
A common assumption is that the more surgeries you’ve had, the higher your Schedule Award should be. It feels intuitive — big injuries require big procedures, so shouldn’t they produce bigger compensation?
But under federal workers’ compensation rules, the number of surgeries does not directly increase your award. There is no extra dollar amount attached to each surgery, and no “X factor” added just because you went through multiple procedures.
So does surgery matter at all?
Yes — just not in the way people expect.
Surgeries can help illustrate the severity of your injury. A serious injury often results in a higher impairment rating. And the impairment rating is what OWCP uses to calculate the Schedule Award. In that sense, surgeries can support the case that your impairment is significant.
But surgery can also reduce impairment. If a procedure fixed a structural problem, restored range of motion, or improved your function, your impairment rating might actually be lower than someone who never had surgery at all.
What actually determines the award?
Your Schedule Award is based on a physician’s impairment rating, which takes into account:
your range of motion
your diagnoses
how the injured appendage moves through various planes
strength, stability, and functional limits
and in some cases, scarring from post-surgical procedures
The impairment rating—not the surgery count—is the controlling factor.
So what’s the real takeaway?
Surgeries don’t add points to your award, but they can influence the final rating by showing how serious the injury was or by demonstrating improvement. It all depends on the medical evidence and the doctor’s assessment.
If you feel your condition is worse than what your last report showed, or you want to make sure your impairment rating truly reflects your day-to-day limitations, talking with a professional can help. At Shapiro Federal, we assist clients in obtaining accurate, comprehensive impairment ratings so their award matches the reality of what they’re experiencing.
Every Schedule Award and compensation case is unique. The Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) does not publish fixed timelines or guaranteed outcomes. Benefits depend on your medical evidence, impairment rating, and OWCP’s review process. The information provided here is for general educational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. For guidance on your specific claim, consult with an experienced federal workers’ compensation attorney.