What Should a Federal Employee do When Injured at Work?
About OWCP Forms CA-1 & CA-2
When a Federal Employee is injured at work, the timing and method of filing differ depending on the type of injury. There are 2 types of injuries:
- CA-1 or traumatic injury that basically has occurred in one shift, or…
- CA-2 or Occupational disease that has occurred over more than 1 shift, usually, over time with repetitive overuse
Guidelines for CA-1 (Traumatic) Injuries:
Inform your supervisor immediately.
- Ask your supervisor to authorize medical treatment using Form CA-16. Take this form with you when you go to the Emergency department or when you see any physicians. Emergency medical treatment can be obtained without prior authorization.
- If disabled and unable to work, you must submit medical evidence supporting your disability to your employing agency within 10 workdays to be eligible for COP (See below).
- Seek medical care and treatment from medical providers enrolled with OWCP.
- Go to www.ecomp.dol.gov, register for an account and fill out a CA-1 Claim Form as soon as possible. It has to be done within 30 days of injury but the sooner you do it, the sooner your claim can get reviewed and accepted. Once you complete your portion, it will be forwarded to your supervisor.
- As long as you have filled out your CA-1 within 30 days of injury and submitted medical evidence supporting your disability to your employing agency within 10 workdays, you are eligible to submit claim for Continuation Of Pay (COP) which will pay you your salary for up to 45 days while you are recovering.
- If you are disabled and can not return to work for more than 45 days, you must file a claim for compensation using Form CA-7
Guidelines for CA-2 (Occupational Disease ) Injuries:
- Inform your supervisor.
- Go to www.ecomp.dol.gov, register for an account and fill out a CA-2 Claim Form. Once you complete your portion, it will be forwarded to your supervisor.
- Seek medical care and treatment from medical providers enrolled with OWCP.
- If you are disabled and can not work, you can only get compensated after your claim has been
accepted.
