Federal Employees’ Compensation Act: What Should the Employer Do When an Employee Dies Due to a Workplace Injury or Occupational Disease

Under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA), federal employers are required to take certain actions in the sad event that an employee dies due to a traumatic workplace injury or occupational disease.

FECA requires the employer to immediately inform the federal Office of Worker’s Compensation Programs (OWCP) of the death by telephone, telegram or fax. The FECA regulations do not state that the employer may provide notification via email. The Department of Labor’s website provides contact telephone and fax numbers for regional OWCP offices.

After notifying OWCP, the employer must complete and submit Form CA-6 (“Official Supervisor’s Report of Employee’s Death”) to OWCP.

If it is practical to do so, the employer must also provide Form CA-5 (“Claim for Compensation by Widow, Widower, and/or Children”) or Form CA-5b (“Claim for Compensation by Parents, Brothers, Sisters, Grandparents, or Grandchildren”) to anyone who is likely to be eligible for compensation for the employee’s death. Along with providing the form, the employer should provide instructions for completing and submitting the form. When an employer receives a completed Form CA-5 or CA-5a, it must promptly submit the form to OWCP.

Contact Uliase & Uliase Regarding FECA Claims and Employers’ Responsibilities

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.