Traumatic Injury and the CA-1 Form (FECA Claims)
The Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) defines a traumatic injury as a wound or condition caused by an external force (including stress or strain) that is identifiable as to the time and place of occurrence within a single workday or work shift.
The Injury Reporting
and Care Process
1. Immediate Action (Supervisor & CA-16)
If you suffer a traumatic injury on the job, you must take the following steps immediately:
- Notify your supervisor right away.
- Request Form CA-16 (Authorization for Medical Treatment).
- Identify your selected physician to your supervisor.
- In non-emergency situations, you may be required to be examined by a Postal Medical Office or equivalent, but this cannot interfere with your right to seek prompt treatment from your physician of choice.
- If possible, take the CA-16 with you to your first medical appointment.
2. Filing the Claim (Form CA-1)
To establish the claim, you must provide evidence proving:
- The injury occurred as reported and in the performance of duty.
- Your medical condition or disability is causally related to the injury.
- Physician’s Role: Your doctor must provide a clear diagnosis and a rationalized medical opinion linking your condition to the reported work-related factors.
3. OWCP Communication and Case Acceptance
- After OWCP receives the CA-1, they will send you a postcard within about two weeks with your official OWCP Case File Number. Use this number on all correspondence and instruct your medical providers to do the same.
- Accepted Claims: In most cases, you receive an approval letter detailing the accepted condition and outlining your benefits (lost wage compensation, medical bill payment, reimbursement procedures).
OWCP Services
OWCP Eligibility
Traumatic Injury and
the CA-1 Form
(FECA Claims)
How to File a CA-2
Claim for an
Occupational Disease
Forms CA-1, CA-2, CA-7,
CA-7A, CA-10, CA-17,
OWCP-957