Hurt at Work as a Federal Employee? Your First Steps
What you do in the first few days after a work injury can shape your whole federal workers' comp claim. Most problems later on, like denials or gaps in pay, trace back to missed reports or thin medical records early.
Here's a short checklist for federal employees, from postal carriers to VA staff to TSA officers.
1. Report the injury to your supervisor
Tell your supervisor as soon as possible and note who you told and when. If anyone saw the incident, write down their names.
2. File the right form
Most agencies file these through the Department of Labor's ECOMP system. Keep a copy of everything you submit.
- Form CA-1 for a traumatic injury from a single event or shift. File within 30 days to protect continuation of pay.
- Form CA-2 for an occupational disease that developed over time, like carpal tunnel or a back condition from repeated lifting.
3. Ask for Form CA-16 to authorize treatment
For a traumatic injury, your agency can issue Form CA-16, which authorizes medical treatment for up to 60 days while OWCP reviews your claim. Ask for it when you report the injury.
4. Choose your own doctor
Federal employees have the right to choose their initial treating physician. You don't have to see an agency doctor or a clinic your supervisor picks. Choose a provider who knows OWCP's paperwork, because the quality of the medical record matters.
5. Keep a simple record
- Copies of every form and letter from your agency and OWCP
- Your claim number once it's assigned
- Dates of appointments and any time missed from work
- Notes on symptoms, especially new ones
How Injury Federal Clinic helps
We treat federal employees in Jacksonville, accept CA-16 authorizations, and handle the medical side of OWCP claims, from the first evaluation through duty status reports and return to work. Call us after you report your injury and we'll schedule you quickly.
Talk to our team
Injury Federal Clinic is a Medical Provider for the U.S. Department of Labor in Jacksonville, open weekdays and Saturday mornings.
This article is general information, not legal advice. OWCP and your claims examiner make all coverage decisions, and deadlines can depend on your case; check your decision letters and the U.S. Department of Labor website.
