Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About DOL & OWCP
Please find below answers to the most commonly asked questions about DOL, Federal Workers Compensation, and OWCP forms…
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Frequently Asked Questions
An OWCP doctor is a medical provider trained to evaluate and treat injuries sustained by federal employees at work under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). These doctors know exactly how to document injuries properly, complete required medical reports, and gather the evidence OWCP needs to support a claim. If you’re a federal worker who’s been hurt on the job, seeing an OWCP-experienced doctor ensures your injury is documented correctly from the start.
No — you don’t need a referral. Federal employees have the right under FECA to choose their own treating physician, so you can reach out directly to an OWCP-experienced provider and schedule your evaluation and care without agency or primary-care referral requirements.
If you’re injured on the job, first notify your supervisor, then fill out the appropriate OWCP claim form — either CA-1 (for a sudden injury) or CA-2 (for an occupational illness). After that, make an appointment with an OWCP-qualified doctor as soon as possible so your injury can be evaluated and documented properly. Early treatment and accurate records are key to supporting a successful claim.
Yes. Our clinic helps you with all the medical documentation OWCP requires: that includes comprehensive injury narratives, cause-and-effect statements, duty status reports, and ongoing treatment records. Having detailed, accurate medical evidence is critical for OWCP’s review, and we guide you through gathering and submitting all necessary paperwork.
Yes. We serve federal employees from any agency covered by FECA — whether you’re with USPS, TSA, DHS, VA, or any other federal body. If you’re a federal worker injured on the job, we provide OWCP-compliant evaluation, treatment, and support, no matter your department.
We help you understand how OWCP benefits are structured — including medical care coverage, continuation of pay, wage-loss benefits, and return-to-work procedures. While OWCP itself makes benefit determinations, we support you by preparing and submitting the medical documentation required, helping make the process smoother and ensuring your claim is supported thoroughly.
When you first get hurt you are involved in an adjudication process with the OWCP. You must prove your case. You can not rely on your agency or just your union to help. The OWCP requires specific, factual and MEDICAL EVIDENCE before they will accept your claim.
Yes, you can go to any credentialed OWCP physician that is willing to work with federal work comp.
If you had an accident or an event at work that caused an injury, you should file form CA-1 immediately. If your injury occurred over a longer period of time (greater than one(1) work day then you should file form (CA-2) for an occupational disease. This can sometime be confusing and proper medical support and legal advice is vital.
If you filed a CA-1 (traumatic injury claim) within 30 day of your injury, you are automatically entitled to 45 calendar day of pay if you provide medical evidence for your absence because of your work injury. If you file form CA-2 (occupational disease claim) you must file form CA-7 every two weeks to get paid. Remember that you will not get paid until your claim is approved.
Yes, Use OWCP form 957 for travel reimbursement and OWCP form 951 other out of pocket expenses related to your injury.
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