We have been advocating for the protection of federal workers’ labor and disability rights since 2020.
Since our founding, we have helped over 500 federal workers from the following states:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.
By pivoting our work to focus on legal resources only, we aim to help more federal workers feel empowered about their abilities to navigate complex federal programs and to resolve gaps in education about important federal policies that impact all federal workers.
Our advocacy work extends beyond office hours.
In addition to serving our clients, we work with other stakeholders, medical providers, non-profit organizations, and unions to advocate for improvements to federal labor and disability programs nationwide.
-
Our legal resources are not limited to federal workers. The information provided can also help medical providers, unions, and other organizations in understanding the federal government’s complex framework related to OWCP FECA claims primarily.
-
Christina works closely with WILG’s Federal Legislative Committee, and FECA Committee to aid in lobbying efforts and policy changes to increase federal workers’ access to healthcare and to ensure equal access to necessary benefits.
-
Attorney Christina has drafted and collaborated on numerous advocacy letters on behalf of WILG and submitted to Congressional committees and the U.S. Department of Labor to improve OWCP FECA claims processing, streamline paperwork requirements, and modify harmful policies that negatively impact federal workers.
Past Client Experiences
OWCP FECA
Claim Acceptance
OWCP FECA
Claim Expansion
Federal Disability Retirement
Weighing Options
OWCP FECA Claim Acceptance
Problem
A client filed an OWCP FECA claim for a torn meniscus sustained on the job working for the United States Postal Service.
OWCP ignored narrative medical evidence submitted by an orthopedic specialist, delayed medical treatment, and denied the claim outright.
Solution
We filed a series of appeals to approve her claim, disability compensation, and authorize her medical treatment.
We also worked with her physician to ensure all additional medical evidence was fully compliant with OWCP requirements. This client’s injury is now being properly managed and she will be eligible for a schedule award for permanent impairment compensation in the future.
OWCP FECA Claim Expansion and Compensation Approval
Problem
A client filed an OWCP FECA claim for occupational injuries.
OWCP refused to expand our client’s claim to include all diagnosed conditions resulting from strenuous federal work duties as a VA Nurse and refused to pay her disability wage loss compensation for an entire year.
Solution
We filed a series of appeals to authorize payment of her lost wages retroactively and submitted multiple escalation letters to OWCP leadership to prevent abuses of administrative authority.
We worked with OWCP office directors to remedy previous improper actions. OWCP reinstated our client’s continuing compensation and she acquired a year’s worth of back-pay. We were also successful in expanding her claim to include consequential conditions related to her original injuries so that proper medical care can now be acquired for all conditions.
Federal Disability Retirement and Weighing Options
Problem
A client had an accepted OWCP FECA claim for an injury sustained in connection to her employment with the U.S. Army, and her injuries were determined to be permanent by her physician.
She was also eligible for Federal Disability Retirement and was having troubles with her employing agency related to improper coding of her pay status and ongoing harassment.
Solution
We provided a consulting service detailing the requirements for continuing OWCP FECA benefits, the application process for Federal Disability Retirement, and the monetary value of each benefit based on her earnings.
This client was able to successfully apply for Federal Disability Retirement on her own and elect between her benefit options confidently.
Client Testimonial
Jacquelyn H. — U.S. Department of the Army
"After suffering a debilitating work injury working as a federal employee, I was thrown into a never-ending nightmare called “OWCP.” I was NOT prepared for the pain, stress, further injury, and financial ruin that was in store for me.
I spent 12 years drowning in bureaucratic paperwork getting nowhere until I finally reached out to an attorney for help. It was the single most important and best decision I’ve ever made in my life. Christina Faliero knows OWCP forwards and backwards. She understands the red tape and plows right through the mindless rhetoric they subject injured employees to. She breaks down the legalese that is impossible to understand and responds with a quick, precise and knowledgeable response.
Christina makes you feel like you’re the only client she has and truly cares about her clients. She has a no nonsense attitude and is not satisfied with just any result. Christina is not afraid to face challenges and moves forward head on with a kind, yet stern approach in order to achieve the best result for her clients. Christina has worked miracles for me. She is hands down the absolute best attorney for any OWCP issue. I wish I hadn’t waited so long before I turned to her for her valuable expertise. Five stars all the way."