Injured on the (Federal) Job? Here’s What To Do
The Federal Employees’ Compensation Act protects federal workers who get hurt on the job. The best way to ensure that you receive all the benefits that you and your family are entitled to, it is important to take certain steps to protect your rights.
1. Report every injury, even minor injuries, to your supervisor.
Reporting injuries is important because a small injury can grow into a serious injury, and the best way to keep a complete record of the injury or illness timeline is to file the required injury form for any injury, no matter how small. For a traumatic injury – like a cut, bruise, or sprain – you must file Form CA-1 within 30 days of the date of injury. For a non-traumatic injury, also called an occupational disease, you must file Form CA-2 within 30 days of the date you discover that a chronic condition was caused or exacerbated by the work environment.
2. Get first aid or medical treatment for every injury.
To protect your rights to income replacement and compensation for medical care, you will need to be able to show that you took all appropriate steps to minimize a work-related injury. If you do not get treatment for a work-related injury and it exacerbates into a serious injury, you could lose your benefits because the serious injury could have been prevented if you had treated the minor injury in a timely manner.
If you suffer a traumatic injury, ask your employer to authorize medical treatment before you go to the doctor. Bring the completed Form CA-16 with you to the doctor’s office. Also bring Form OWCP-1500, which your physician will use to submit bills to the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs.
3. Keep in a safe place all documents that support your claim.
You will eventually have to show evidence that you “filed for benefits in a timely manner, that you are a civil employee; that the injury occurred as reported and in the performance of duty; and that your condition or disability is related to the injury or factors of your Federal employment.”
4. File a claim for compensation.
File Form CA-7 for compensation if you expect to lose pay for more than three days as a result of your traumatic injury or occupational disease. If you remain out of work due to injury longer than the dates stated on Form CA-7, you can file Form CA-8 (Claim for Continuing Compensation on Account of Disability).
5. Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding returning to work.
Do not attempt to return to work sooner than your doctor authorizes. Also, do not remain away from work longer than your doctor advises. If you believe you are recovered sooner than your return-to-work date, do not return without first having a medical appointment and getting a revised authorization to return to work from your physician. If you believe you are not yet recovered enough to return to work, share your concerns with your doctor and do not remain away from work unless your physician extends the return to work date.
Federal workers’ compensation claims are complex and require strict attention to many important procedural requirements. You can read more questions and answers about the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act at the Department of Labor’s website. However, if you are considering filing an occupational disease claim, it is advisable to discuss your situation with a qualified federal workers’ comp attorney.
Contact Uliase & Uliase
For an appointment with an experienced New Jersey federal worker injury lawyer, contact our office online or call us at (856) 310-9002 to schedule an appointment with our experienced federal employee injury lawyers. We are open weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. We offer a free consultation for injured workers.
