Why Is My Federal Workers’ Compensation Claim Taking So Long?
If you’re waiting on a federal workers’ compensation claim, this thought probably crosses your mind daily: “Why is nothing happening?”
The honest answer is that slow movement is built into the system — and in many cases, it’s not a sign that anything is wrong.
The Department of Labor moves slowly — by design.
OWCP is part of the federal government, and like most federal systems, it doesn’t move quickly. One reason is accuracy. Moving slowly gives claims examiners time to review files carefully so they don’t miss important details. Faster decisions can lead to mistakes.
Sometimes the slowness is intentional.
There’s also an element of what many call a “frustration process.” The thinking is that legitimate claims will persist, while illegitimate ones often fall away when patience runs out. Most people aren’t faking injuries just to collect a portion of their regular pay — but the system is designed to filter for that.
Staffing and training matter.
OWCP is widely understaffed, and claims examiners manage heavy caseloads. Training new examiners takes time, and there simply aren’t enough hours in the day for everything to move quickly.
And sometimes… there’s nothing to do.
If you’re in active medical treatment and receiving the benefits you’re supposed to receive, there may be no action required at all. In those situations, it’s completely normal not to hear from OWCP — or your attorney — for months or even years.
What timeline should you expect?
OWCP generally works in 30-day intervals. If you’re expecting something to happen faster than that, it usually won’t. That’s not neglect — it’s how the system operates.
At Shapiro Federal, we help clients manage expectations by tracking timelines and letting them know when it does make sense to expect movement — and when silence is normal. That way, you’re not left wondering if something went wrong.
The takeaway:
A slow claim doesn’t automatically mean a bad claim. In federal workers’ comp, patience is often part of the process.
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.