Workers’ Compensation
Federal employees have the right to a workplace free from recognized hazards [29 CFR 1960.8(a)]. When employees get hurt or become ill as a result of their job exposures, they are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, including medical care, wage loss replacement, and vocational rehabilitation, among others.
Federal employees also have responsibilities—reporting injuries and illnesses, filing claims for compensation in a timely manner, and returning to work when medically cleared.
These rights and responsibilities are not always communicated to employees, and if they are, the information may be inaccurate or misguided. Sometimes employees are denied the right to file, transmittal of their claims is delayed, claims are controverted, and employees are forced to return to work too soon for fear of losing their jobs.
AFGE has developed training on the federal workers’ compensation program that is offered both in a classroom setting and online. The training provides an overview of the claims process, the benefits injured workers may receive, and the appeals process.
We offer a short, self-paced online module on the basic benefits and requirements of the federal workers’ compensation system.
Workers’ Compensation Video Tips:
- Corresponding with DOL/OWCP
- Using DOL’s ECOMP System
- Submitting and Getting a Receipt for Forms CA-1, CA-2 and CA-7
Forms you need to file a workers’ compensation claim
- CA -1: Federal Employee’s Notice of Traumatic Injury and Claim for Continuation of Pay/Compensation
- CA-2: Notice of Occupational Disease and Claim for Compensation
- CA-2a: Notice of Recurrence
- CA-7: Claim for Compensation
- CA-7a: Time Analysis Form
- CA-7b: Leave Buy Back (LBB) Worksheet/Certification and Election
- CA-16: Authorization for Examination And/Or Treatment
- CA-17: Duty Status Report
- CA-20: Attending Physician’s Report
- CA-35: Evidence Required in Support of a Claim for Occupational Disease
OWCP Resources
- What a Federal Employee Should Do When Injured at Work: Provides basic guidance on filing a claim.
- Injury Compensation for Federal Employees Publication CA-810: This handbook is for agency personnel and covers the compensation process and requirements. It is helpful for union representatives helping members with claims.
- ECOMP: Injured employees with existing claims can submit documents electronically through ECOMP. Some agencies are also using ECOMP for employees to initiate claims.
- Claimant Query System (CQS): CQS provides information on case status, accepted medical conditions, and compensation payments. Due to security concerns, registration on OWCP Connect is required to access CQS.
AFGE Booklets
- For all AFGE member: ou Have a Right to Workers’ Comp for Job-Related Injuries and Illnesses: This 4-page booklet describes your rights and responsibilities under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA)