CA-2A Notice of Recurrence

OWCP Form CA-2a, Notice of Recurrence, is used to report a recurrence of a previously accepted work-related injury or illness. A recurrence is defined as the documented need for additional medical treatment after release from treatment by your DOL doctor for the original injury or illness. Continuing treatment for the original condition is not considered a recurrence.

To file a Form CA-2a, you will need to provide the following information:

• Your name and contact information
• Your employer’s name and contact information
• The date of the original injury or illness
• The date of the recurrence
• A detailed description of the recurrence, including how it happened, when it happened, and what medical treatment you have received
• Any other relevant information about your work injury, such as any witnesses to the recurrence or any changes in your job duties that may have contributed to the recurrence

You can file a Form CA-2a online or by mail. If you are filing online, you will need to create an account with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). If you are filing by mail, you can download the form from the OWCP website or request a copy from your employer or union.

Once you have filed a Form CA-2a, OWCP will review your claim to determine if it is eligible for benefits. If your claim is approved, you may be eligible for continuation of pay (COP), wage loss compensation, and/or payment of medical expenses.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind when filing a Form CA-2a:

• Be sure to file the form as soon as possible after you experience a recurrence. This will help to ensure that your claim is processed quickly and efficiently.
• Be as specific as possible when describing the recurrence. Include as much detail as you can about how it happened, when it happened, and what medical treatment you have received.
• If you have any questions or need assistance, contact your employer, union, or the OWCP.
• If you are filing a Form CA-2a for a recurrence more than 90 days after your return to work, you will need to provide medical evidence to support your claim. This evidence may include a statement from your doctor, medical reports, or test results.

OWCP will review your medical evidence to determine if it supports your claim that you have experienced a recurrence of your work-related injury or illness. If OWCP approves your claim, you will be eligible for benefits.

Here are some examples of situations that would qualify for a Form CA-2a:

• You return to work after recovering from a work-related injury, but you start experiencing pain and other symptoms again.
• You have a work-related illness that goes into remission, but it later flares up again.
• You have a work-related injury that leads to a secondary injury. For example, you break your leg at work, and then you develop a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) as a result.

Here are some examples of situations that would not qualify for a Form CA-2a:

• You continue to experience pain and other symptoms from your work-related injury, but you have not received any new medical treatment.
• You have a work-related illness that is chronic and requires ongoing treatment. This is not considered a recurrence.
• You have a new injury that is unrelated to your previous work-related injury. This would be considered a new claim.

If you are unsure whether or not you should file a Form CA-2a, it is always best to contact your employer, union, or the OWCP for assistance.