OWCP CA-1 is a traumatic injury claim. A traumatic injury is a condition of the body that is mainly caused by external force identifiable through the place of occurrence and function of the body affected. The resulting injury must be caused by a specific event within a single workday. For example, the federal worker's compensation recognizes an injury caused by picking up a heavy object as OWCP CA-1.

This is an occupational disease or illness claim. An occupational disease or illness is a medical condition which mainly occurs in the work environment over a period longer than 1 day. The condition may occur as a result of exposure to hazardous elements like fumes and toxins or as a result of repeated stress or strain. In order to file a claim based on occupational disease, you have to fill the OWCP on form CA-2. On the contrary, if an employee wants to file a claim based on traumatic injury, they have to fill the OWCP on CA-1 form.

The federal law provides occupational diseases compensation for federal workers. However, it is more difficult to prove a claim based on occupational disease compared to a claim based on traumatic injury. Furthermore, an employee must provide two basic documents in order to successfully pursue a claim with OWCP. These documents are;

Filing a CA-1 form

If you suffer from a job-related traumatic injury, the first step is to immediately inform your supervisor. This should be followed by requesting medical treatment authorization. It should be noted that the event must have occurred during one work day. You should request for form CA-16 then identify a physician that will provide you with medical treatment for your injury. If you sustain work-related traumatic injury and want to claim federal workers compensation under FECA, you should give notice in writing on form CA-1.

This form can be obtained from your employer after which you should accurately fill it. You should be diligent and ensure every portion of the form is filed accurately before signing. The form should then be submitted to your supervisor before the deadline.

Filing a CA-2 form

There are three steps in filing a CA-2 form;

Explain your day to day activities and a detailed description of physical acts like walking, lifting, and carrying, etc. You should also describe your work factors which may have played a role in your injury. This should be written in short paragraphs to provide the doctor with an accurate picture of your work duties.

According to the federal worker's compensation, a causal relationship is considered a medical issue. As such, the doctor's narrative is medical evidence which is required in the establishment of a causal relationship. The opinion of the doctor must be purely based on factual medical background of the injured employee. Medical rationale must explain the relationship between the specific work factors and the employee’s diagnostic condition.

The doctor should provide objective medical evidence based on x-rays, MRIs, and proper ICD codes.

Once your portion of the CA-2 form has been completed, make a copy and hand the rest to your supervisor. Your supervisor should issue you with a signed receipt portion of CA-2. Your employing Agency should send the CA-2 form to the Office of Workers Compensation Programs within 10 days after your submission day. You will be assigned a claim number once OWCP gets your CA-2. Once you have a file you should mail all your medical information. It may take up to 90 days for OWCP to make a compensation claim decision.