Getting injured or contracting illness on the job can be a rough setback. If you are a federal employee or work for a business that is entirely owned by the Federal Government, you may be eligible for compensation under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). Filing a claim is a relatively simple process, but doing so will require certain forms to be completed.
Submitting the right FECA forms is essential to securing the compensation you deserve.
Form CA-1: Traumatic Injury
Workers who suffer an injury while performing work-related duties, and who did not suffer that injury as a direct result of their sole negligence, can file for compensation using Form CA-1, ”Federal Employee’s Notice of Traumatic Injury and Claim for Continuation of Pay/Compensation.” This form can be filed for a wound or injury caused by an external force. To submit this form, you must know the exact date on which the injury took place.
Form CA-2: Occupational Disease
Employees who fall ill over a period of time longer than one workday as a result of their working conditions or responsibilities can file for compensation using Form CA-2, “Notice of Occupational Disease and Claim for Compensation.” Illness resulting from repeated exposure to pesticides, poisons, toxins, and other harmful substances in the line of work can also be considered occupational disease.
When Should I File a FECA Claim?
Generally speaking, it is best to file compensation claims as soon as possible after you notice injury or illness related to your duties.
FECA requires that a claim using either Form CA-1 or Form CA-2 be filed within 30 days of the accident or injury in order for the injured worker to receive continuation of pay for the first 45 days. If the CA-1 or CA-2 was not filed within 30 days of the accident or injury, they can still be filed within 3 years of the date of incident. For injuries, claims should be filed within 3 years of the accident. In the case of an occupational disease or illness, the 3-year timeline begins when a worker notices, or is reasonably expected to have noticed the illness. Of course, the longer someone waits to file a claim, the greater the change that important evidence is lost, witnesses cannot be found, and the Claims Examiner may be suspicious of you.
All FECA claims can be filed for free online through the Employees’ Compensation Operations & Management Portal.
Making Sense of FECA Forms
Experiencing injury or illness incurred at work can lead to an overwhelming list of things on your mind. While paperwork is usually the last, submitting the right FECA forms could make or break your compensation case.
When you need help handling your FECA claim, trust Sarphie Law to get you the compensation and medical benefits you need. We help federal government and USPS employees get better and back to work after an injury or illness on the job.
To receive a comprehensive review of your case, contact us today.