What are the Time Limits for Reporting a Federal Workplace Injury for Postal Workers?

A person writing on a piece of paper

A person writing on a piece of paper

If you’re a postal worker who has been injured on the job, reporting the incident correctly and promptly is crucial to receive the compensation you deserve. Learn about the filing timelines and processes that apply to you to ensure timely injury reporting and no delays in receiving the financial support you’re entitled to.

Initial Steps to Take After a Workplace Injury

Along with getting the medical care you need to protect your health and safety, it’s imperative to begin the federal worker’s compensation claim process promptly. Here’s how:

  • Report to your supervisor: Don’t hesitate to alert your supervisor about your workplace injury, illness, or disease as soon as possible, whether you have contracted these conditions directly at work or experienced worsened symptoms as a result of work conditions. All of these situations may be eligible for federal workers’ compensation.
  • Seek medical attention: If you require emergency medical treatment, visit the hospital immediately—no prior authorization is required. However, before you begin ongoing treatment, ask your supervisor to authorize your medical care through the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) Form CA-16, which you can obtain by contacting your employer’s workers’ compensation personnel (generally only used in traumatic injury claims). Bring this form with you when you visit the doctor. Note that you have the right to choose your own physician, whether that’s a private doctor or a Federal medical officer.
  • Know which claim form to file: Traumatic injuries are those that occur within a single workday and are claimed on Form CA-1. On the other hand, occupational diseases develop over time, including medical conditions caused or worsened by the work environment, and are claimed on Form CA-2.
  • Adhere to reporting deadlines: To be considered timely, you must file either Form CA-1 (for traumatic injuries) or Form CA-2 (for occupational conditions) within three years of the injury or the date you first knew—or reasonably should have known—that your condition was work-related. If you’re filing a CA-1, it’s important to submit it within 30 days of the injury to preserve your right to Continuation of Pay (COP). Regardless of which form applies, it’s always best to file as soon as possible. Figuring out when the clock starts can be tricky, especially for gradual injuries, so it’s wise to consult a lawyer if you’re unsure about your timeline.

Wage Loss and Continuation of Pay (COP)

For injured postal workers, contending with wage loss can be just as stressful as recovering from the injury itself. Thankfully, you may be entitled to continuation of pay (COP) in traumatic injury cases, or wage loss compensation (WLC). Be aware that OWCP approval is needed for WLC but not initially for COP.

COP offers an immediate, short-term financial safety net, replacing your regular salary for up to 45 days after a traumatic injury, including non-working days if disabled. Filing Form CA-1 within 30 days of the incident is required to receive this wage replacement benefit. Also, if you’re disabled, your employer must allow you 10 days to submit medical evidence supporting your disability before they can interrupt COP. COP is paid by your employer in a regular paycheck. It is not paid by the OWCP.

If you are disabled beyond the 45-day COP period, are not entitled to COP, or are disabled due to an occupational disease, you may file for WLC using Form CA-7. Compensation for your long-term absence depends on your pay rate at injury, recurrence, or disability onset. If you have dependents (this includes your spouse), you are entitled to 75 percent of your applicable pay rate. If you don’t have dependents, you are entitled to 66 percent. Initial denial of a claim could result in you having to repay the COP back to the employer (sometimes recouped by using sick or annual leave.

Claim Approval and Compensation Rates

The claim approval process involves several key steps to ensure that a federal worker’s injury claim is valid and eligible for compensation. This process scrutinizes the following:

  • The timing of the claim
  • The worker’s employment status
  • The circumstances surrounding the injury to establish that it occurred during “performance of duty” and is directly tied to work activities
  • Any challenges by your employer (controversion)

Approval hinges on meeting these criteria, highlighting the importance of timely and accurate injury documentation to establish how the incident impacts the worker’s ability to perform their job.

Claim Denials and Repayments

If your COP claim is denied, first consider the reason for the denial, as this will guide your next steps. You may need to provide additional information or clarify existing documentation. Also, be aware of the requirement to repay any COP you received if either COP or your claim is denied. Maintaining open communication with your employer and seeking legal advice is helpful when navigating a COP or claim appeal and ensuring your rights are protected.

Contact Aumiller Lomax

With our focus on federal worker injuries, Aumiller Lomax is proud to serve postal employees nationwide. With our in-depth knowledge of the federal workers’ compensation system, we can guide you and your employer through the challenging times that follow a workplace injury. We’ll begin your case with a free consultation to ensure you get the financial support you need without delay.

If you’re having trouble navigating your workers’ compensation claim, please contact us at 856-751-0440 to speak with a federal workers’ compensation lawyer. We are committed to supporting you every step of the way.