Psychological Evaluation and Expert Opinion in Federal Workers' Compensation
Independent evaluation separate from and never overlapping with treatment.
Why a Psychologist
Under FECA, the definition of physician includes clinical psychologists acting within the scope of their practice. For psychological conditions, that means our opinions on causation and work capacity carry evidentiary weight on their own and do not require a physician's countersignature.
Under EEOICPA, a clinical psychologist's report has been found sufficient to establish a consequential psychological condition.
Services
- Independent psychological evaluation
- Causation analysis under the applicable federal standard, including direct causation, aggravation, acceleration, and precipitation
- Work capacity and functional opinion where Waypoint is not the treating provider
- Record review and rebuttal opinion
- Appeal support
How the Reports Are Built
Evaluations are anchored to the Statement of Accepted Facts and answer the questions actually posed. The causation standard applied is named explicitly. Where a work capacity form such as the OWCP-5a is required, it is completed in full rather than returned partially. Reports are delivered inside the timeline the case needs.
Conflicts
We do not evaluate people we have treated and we do not treat people we have evaluated. We run a conflict check against our existing cases before accepting any referral.
How to Refer
For retention information and details on what to send with a referral, see Referral information for physicians and attorneys.
For forensic services not specific to OWCP, see Forensic services.
Ready to Refer?
Contact us with your referral question or to discuss the timeline and scope of a potential evaluation.
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