COHN COHN Workers Compensation and Legal Aspects 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which federal law establishes the framework for workers' compensation for federal employees in the United States?
- Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) (Correct answer)
- Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Correct answer: Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA)
FECA provides workers' compensation benefits, including medical care and wage replacement, to federal civilian employees injured on the job.
Question 2: In workers' compensation, what does 'maximum medical improvement' (MMI) mean?
- The employee has fully recovered and can return to full duty
- The employee's condition has stabilized and further recovery is not expected (Correct answer)
- The employee requires surgery to improve their condition
- The employee's medical costs have reached the policy maximum
Correct answer: The employee's condition has stabilized and further recovery is not expected
MMI is the point at which a work-related injury or illness has stabilized and no further improvement is expected with continued treatment.
Question 3: Which type of workers' compensation benefit replaces a portion of an injured worker's lost wages?
- Medical benefits
- Vocational rehabilitation benefits
- Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits (Correct answer)
- Death benefits
Correct answer: Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits
TTD benefits provide wage replacement when an injured employee is completely unable to work for a temporary period due to a work-related injury.
Question 4: What is the primary legal obligation of an occupational health nurse (OHN) when a work-related injury occurs?
- File a lawsuit on behalf of the employee
- Document the injury and ensure the worker receives prompt medical treatment (Correct answer)
- Deny treatment until liability is established
- Notify OSHA within 24 hours for all injuries
Correct answer: Document the injury and ensure the worker receives prompt medical treatment
The OHN must accurately document the injury and coordinate timely medical care to fulfill the employer's legal and ethical obligations.
Question 5: An employee files a workers' compensation claim claiming a back injury is work-related. The employer believes it is a pre-existing condition. Who typically makes the official determination?
- The occupational health nurse
- The employer's HR department
- The state workers' compensation board or commission (Correct answer)
- The employee's personal physician
Correct answer: The state workers' compensation board or commission
State workers' compensation boards or commissions adjudicate disputes about claim validity, including whether an injury is work-related.
Question 6: Under the ADA, what is an employer required to provide for a worker returning after a work-related injury?
- Full salary during the recovery period
- Reasonable accommodations if the worker has a qualifying disability (Correct answer)
- Unlimited medical leave
- A new job position at the same pay grade
Correct answer: Reasonable accommodations if the worker has a qualifying disability
The ADA requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities, which may include modified duties or equipment.
COHN COHN Workers Compensation and Legal Aspects 1
Which federal law establishes the framework for workers' compensation for federal employees in the United States?