OWCP Claims Assistance
It can be overwhelming to have to file an OWCP claim for your on-the-job injury. Here at OWCP Connect, we can help. Not only will we assist you in filing your OWCP injury claims, but we will walk you through the entire process from start to finish. We can answer any questions you have, and our OWCP doctors will provide you with the care and advisement you need through every step of your OWCP claims process.
- CA-1 Traumatic injury
- CA-2 Occupational disease
- CA-7 Wage loss
- CA-16 Treatment authorization
- CA-20 Doctor's report
Filing Your OWCP Injury Claim…
To begin your OWCP claim, you’ll have to fill out one of two forms. Form CA-1 is for traumatic injury claims, which cover specific injuries that occurred at one given moment rather than over time. Examples include tripping down the stairs, slipping and falling, and the like. Form CA-2 is for a medical issue that has developed over time due to work conditions or activities performed on the job. These include illnesses or diseases related to systemic infection, repeated stress or strain, or exposure to physical or chemical hazards. In general, an occupational illness is harder to receive compensation for, but if you have truly become ill or have a disease due to your working conditions, you should begin filing an OWCP injury claim to get the medical treatment and financial help that you need.
There is a three-year timeline on all OWCP injury claims, but you should file the correct paperwork as soon as possible. If you are seeking lost wages due to your injury, you’ll need to complete other forms associated with your OWCP claim. Any other forms or paperwork you need can be handled by our staff on a case by case basis. You may also receive some forms directly from your employer.
FREE CONSULTATIONS
Find an OWCP doctor that offers a complimentary consultation to review your injury claim and set you up for an evaluation & diagnostics for your injury…
DOL-OWCP EXPERTS
If you file incorrectly you could lose your benefits. We can help! Our DOL-OWCP experts offer guidance for claims and compensation benefits…
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DOL-OWCP doctors work to serve your needs (not the government)! Get comprehensive medical care for your injury that is specific to your injury care needs…
Turn to the Experts in This Directory
Because of the intricacies of the OWCP claims process, it’s very important that you get expert assistance in filing your OWCP injury claims. Even the most minor mistake can either slow down your benefits or completely disqualify you from receiving benefits. At OWCP Connect, we offer guidance based on expertise, experienced, and an in-depth knowledge of the OWCP claims process, so we can make sure everything is done correctly and thoroughly, allowing you to get the most benefits as quickly as possible.
Here at OWCP Connect, we can connect you to OWCP doctors and OWCP injury claims experts to help you get the care and advice you need during the workers’ compensation process. Get in touch with a federal workers compensation doctor today to get started on your journey toward healing.
How to File an OWCP Injury Claim, Step by Step
To file an OWCP injury claim, report the injury to your supervisor, file Form CA-1 for a traumatic injury or Form CA-2 for an occupational disease (usually online through the Department of Labor's ECOMP portal), and get treated by a doctor who sends OWCP the medical evidence it needs. File a CA-1 within 30 days to keep your continuation of pay.
- Report the injury right away. Tell your supervisor what happened, when and where, and get medical care. Write down names of witnesses while they're fresh.
- File the right form. A CA-1 covers an injury from a single event or work shift, such as a fall or a lifting injury. A CA-2 covers a condition that developed over time, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or hearing loss. Most federal employees file through ECOMP; your agency adds its part and sends the claim to OWCP. Not sure which one fits? See CA-1 vs. CA-2.
- Get authorized treatment. After a traumatic injury, ask your agency for a CA-16, which authorizes treatment for up to 60 days while OWCP reviews the claim. You choose your first treating physician, so pick a doctor that takes DOL.
- Build the medical evidence. OWCP decides claims on paper. Your doctor's reports must explain the diagnosis and how your work caused or worsened it. Learn what documentation strengthens an OWCP claim.
- Answer OWCP quickly and track your claim. If OWCP sends a letter asking for more information, respond by the deadline it gives. You can check your OWCP claim status online.
- Claim lost wages. If you miss work after your continuation of pay (up to 45 days for a traumatic injury) ends, or if your claim is for an occupational disease, file a CA-7 for wage-loss compensation.
The OWCP Forms Your Claim Depends On
Most claim problems start with a missing or incomplete form. These are the ones injured federal workers ask us about most. See our full guide to OWCP forms for the rest.
| Form | What it's for | Who fills it out |
|---|---|---|
| CA-1 | Notice of a traumatic injury and claim for continuation of pay | You, then your supervisor |
| CA-2 | Notice of an occupational disease or illness | You, then your supervisor |
| CA-2a | Notice of a recurrence of disability | You, then your supervisor |
| CA-7 | Claim for wage-loss compensation | You, then your agency |
| CA-16 | Authorization for examination and treatment | Your agency |
| CA-17 | Duty status report (your work restrictions) | Your supervisor and your doctor |
| CA-20 | Attending physician's report | Your doctor |
Common Mistakes That Delay OWCP Claims
- Filing late. A CA-1 filed more than 30 days after the injury loses continuation of pay, and most claims must be filed within three years.
- A vague description. "Hurt my back" isn't enough. Say exactly what you were doing, where and when.
- Thin medical evidence. A doctor who doesn't know OWCP may skip the explanation of how your job caused the injury, the part OWCP looks for first.
- Missing a deadline. Requests for more information come with a response date. Miss it and OWCP may decide on what it has.
- Not keeping copies. Keep a copy of every form, report and letter, and note your claim number.
More pitfalls in the most common OWCP claim mistakes.
Free Help With OWCP Claims and Forms
You don't have to figure out the OWCP claims process alone. OWCP Connect connects injured federal employees with DOL-enrolled doctors, and most doctors that take DOL offer free OWCP claims assistance: help choosing and completing the right forms, the medical reports OWCP needs, and answers when OWCP writes back. There's no charge to you for using OWCP Connect.
OWCP Claims FAQs
How long do I have to file an OWCP claim?
Most FECA claims must be filed within three years of the injury, or of when you realized your condition was caused by work. File a CA-1 within 30 days of a traumatic injury to be eligible for continuation of pay.
How long does OWCP take to decide a claim?
It depends on the claim. A simple traumatic injury with clear medical evidence moves faster than an occupational disease claim, which usually needs more evidence. Answering OWCP's requests quickly is the best way to avoid delays.
Can someone help me fill out my OWCP forms?
Yes. Most doctors that take DOL offer free claims assistance, including help with the CA-1, CA-2, CA-7 and the medical reports OWCP needs. Fill out the OWCP Connect form to be connected with one near you.
What can I do if my OWCP claim is denied?
You can ask for an oral hearing or a review of the written record within 30 days of the decision, ask OWCP for reconsideration within one year, or appeal to the Employees' Compensation Appeals Board within 180 days. Read how to appeal a denied OWCP claim.
Do I pay for OWCP claims assistance?
Not through OWCP Connect. Our doctor search is free, and doctors that take DOL bill OWCP, not you, for covered treatment on an accepted claim.
Denied? See how to appeal a denied OWCP claim. More answers in our OWCP FAQs.
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OWCP Resources
Federal Workers' Comp Guides
- What role does the Department of Labor play in OWCP claims?
- Common OWCP Filing Errors That Delay Federal Workers’ Compensation Claims
- 10 Reasons Federal Workers’ Comp Claims Are Denied by OWCP
- Why OWCP Claims Get Denied — and How Federal Workers Can Fix Them
- 12 Most Common Mistakes Federal Workers Make When Filing OWCP Claims
- 7 Reasons OWCP Claims Get Delayed — and How to Avoid Them
Written and reviewed by the OWCP Connect Editorial Team · Last reviewed
Sources we checked this guide against:
- Federal Employees' Compensation Act, 5 U.S.C. Chapter 81
- FECA regulations, 20 CFR Part 10
- Employees' Compensation Appeals Board rules, 20 CFR Part 501
- U.S. Department of Labor: Federal Employees' Compensation Program
- U.S. Department of Labor: FECA Frequently Asked Questions
- U.S. Department of Labor: New Case Overview
- U.S. Department of Labor: FECA forms
- ECOMP, the Department of Labor's online claim filing system
General information, not legal or medical advice. OWCP Connect is independent and not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Labor. How we write and check our guides.
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