OWCP FAQ for Federal Workers

The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) administers the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA), which provides medical care and wage replacement for federal workers injured on the job. FECA was enacted in 1916 and covers virtually all federal civilian employees.

Federal civilian employees, USPS workers, and certain other federal-affiliated workers are covered. The injury or illness must arise out of and in the course of federal employment. There's no minimum service requirement — you're covered from day one.

No. Under FECA you have the right to choose your own doctor for treatment. You should choose a doctor who is credentialed to bill OWCP and experienced documenting federal workers' comp cases.

Once your claim is accepted, OWCP pays your medical bills directly to the provider. You should not be billed for approved care. We bill DOL directly so you never see a bill for OWCP-authorized treatment.

Initial decisions on traumatic injury (CA-1) claims typically take 30–90 days. Occupational disease (CA-2) claims often take longer, sometimes 6+ months, because they require more medical evidence linking the condition to job duties. Strong initial documentation shortens the timeline significantly.

CA-1 is for traumatic injury — a single, identifiable event. CA-2 is for occupational disease — cumulative or repeated exposure. CA-7 is the claim for compensation (lost wages, beyond Continuation of Pay). CA-17 is the duty status report your treating physician completes for your employer.

You have appeal rights. Common options: (1) request reconsideration within 30 days with new evidence, (2) request an oral hearing or review of the written record from the OWCP Branch of Hearings and Review, or (3) appeal to the Employees' Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB) within 180 days. We help build the additional evidence package and submit on time.

Often yes. Your doctor specifies any duty restrictions on the CA-17. Your agency is required to make reasonable efforts to accommodate restrictions through limited-duty assignments. If no work within your restrictions is available, FECA pays wage-loss benefits.

Generally three years from the date of injury (or the date you first became aware your condition was work-related). For occupational disease claims, it's three years from the date you knew or should have known your illness was related to work. Sooner is always better.

Filing FECA is your right. Retaliation for filing is prohibited. That said, accommodations and limited-duty assignments are common while you recover. If you experience adverse action because of a filing, document it — there are protections and remedies.

Yes. We accept federal workers across the region. If you're traveling for treatment, we coordinate scheduling, imaging, and OWCP authorization to minimize trips.

Submit the form on this page or call us. We'll schedule a free consultation, evaluate your injury, and start your OWCP claim process the same day if appropriate.