The ca-1 form is the official federal notice of traumatic injury for civilian federal employees hurt on the job. It covers workers under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA), such as postal workers, VA nurses, park rangers, and other federal civilian staff. A traumatic injury happens during one work shift, like a fall, a lifting strain, or a car crash while on duty. If you are hurt and worried, take a breath. This guide walks you through each step in plain English.
Who the Ca-1 Form Covers
The CA-1 form is for federal civilian employees covered by FECA. That includes U.S. Postal Service workers and most executive-branch employees. It also covers some special groups, such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers and federal jurors. However, it does not cover active-duty military members. It also does not cover private contractors working on federal projects. Those workers typically use other programs.
The program is run by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation (DFEC), part of OWCP. The rules live in 20 CFR Part 10. As a result, every federal agency uses the same forms and the same deadlines. Your agency does not decide your claim. OWCP does.
In most cases, the key question is whether your injury was “traumatic” or “occupational.” A traumatic injury comes from one event or one shift. For example, slipping on a wet loading dock is traumatic. Carpal tunnel from years of typing is an occupational disease. That condition uses a different form, the CA-2.
| Key Fact | Federal FECA Rule |
|---|---|
| Who is covered | Federal civilian employees, including USPS, plus Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers and federal jurors |
| Agency | U.S. Department of Labor, OWCP, Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation |
| Medical benefits | All reasonable and necessary treatment for the accepted injury, no copay |
| Continuation of pay (COP) | Regular pay for up to 45 calendar days after a traumatic injury |
| Wage-loss rate | 66 2/3% of pay (no dependents) or 75% of pay (with dependents) |
| Deadline to keep COP rights | 30 days from the injury date |
| Outer claim deadline | 3 years from the injury date (5 U.S.C. 8122) |
| Supervisor deadline | 10 working days to send the completed CA-1 to OWCP |
| Key form numbers | CA-1 (traumatic injury), CA-2 (occupational disease), CA-7 (wage loss), CA-16 (treatment authorization), CA-5 (death) |
What the Ca-1 Form Pays
Filing the CA-1 form opens the door to several benefits. First, OWCP pays medical care for the accepted injury. That includes doctor visits, surgery, physical therapy, prescriptions, and travel to appointments. Typically, your agency can also issue a Form CA-16. That form lets you get treatment right away, for up to 60 days, while OWCP reviews your claim.
Next comes continuation of pay. If you timely file the CA-1 form, your agency may keep paying your regular salary for up to 45 calendar days. COP is not taxed as compensation, and it is not charged to your sick or annual leave. However, if you file after 30 days, you generally lose COP. After COP ends, you can claim ongoing wage loss on Form CA-7. FECA generally pays 66 2/3% of your pay with no dependents, or 75% with dependents. That compensation is tax-free.
FECA also pays schedule awards for permanent loss of use of certain body parts. The weeks are set by law. For example, total loss of an arm is 312 weeks, a leg is 288 weeks, a hand is 244 weeks, a foot is 205 weeks, and an eye is 160 weeks. Partial loss is paid as a percentage. If a worker dies from the injury, family members may file Form CA-5 for death benefits. Any award figures are illustrative. Every case is different.
How to File and the Deadlines
Most federal workers file the CA-1 form online through the Department of Labor’s Employees’ Compensation Operations and Management Portal (ECOMP). You fill out the employee section. Then your supervisor completes the agency section. The supervisor must send the finished CA-1 to OWCP within 10 working days of getting it. Keep a copy of everything you submit.
Be specific when you describe what happened. Write the date, time, place, and exact cause of the injury. For example, say “I lifted a 60-pound mail tray and felt sharp pain in my lower back.” Also list any witnesses. OWCP then needs medical proof linking your injury to the work event. Ask your doctor to explain that link clearly in writing.
If OWCP denies your claim, you have appeal options. You can ask for a hearing within 30 days of the decision. You can request reconsideration within one year. You can also appeal to the Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board within 180 days. In most cases, the decision letter explains each option.
How It Differs From State Workers Comp
State workers comp covers most private-sector and state or local government workers. The CA-1 form is entirely separate from that system. FECA is a federal law run by one federal agency. There is no state board, no state weekly cap, and no state insurance carrier. In addition, FECA has no waiting period for workers who get COP. It also pays a higher rate to workers with dependents.
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Another key difference is settlements. Many state systems allow a lump-sum settlement that closes a claim. However, FECA generally does not offer that kind of buyout. Benefits continue as long as the medical evidence supports them. As a result, a federal worker’s case often stays open for years. State workers comp does not apply to these workers; here is who does: the U.S. Department of Labor’s OWCP, under FECA and 20 CFR Part 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the CA-1 form and the CA-2 form?
The CA-1 form is for a traumatic injury from one event or one work shift. The CA-2 is for an occupational disease that develops over more than one shift. Using the right form helps OWCP process your claim faster.
Can I still file if I missed the 30-day deadline?
In most cases, yes. You typically lose continuation of pay after 30 days. However, you can still claim medical care and wage loss within the 3-year limit. Confirm the timing with OWCP and a licensed attorney.
Does my agency decide whether my claim is approved?
No. Your agency helps complete and forward the CA-1 form, and it may add comments. However, only OWCP decides whether to accept your claim. If your agency challenges the claim, you can still send OWCP your own medical evidence.
Ca-1 form: Quick Recap
If you remember one thing about ca-1 form, make it this: the rule is set by the state (or the federal program), not by the insurer, and the official source is linked above. Every figure on this page about ca-1 form should be confirmed with the agency before you act on it.
Questions about ca-1 form that this page does not answer are usually answered for free by the state workers’ comp agency’s information line — and, for a disputed claim, by a licensed attorney in a first consultation.
See your state’s exact numbers
What you are owed depends on your state’s benefit caps and deadlines. Start with your state’s settlement and claim guides for the exact figures.
Sources & How to Verify
The figures on this page come from official government and industry sources. Workers’ comp benefit caps, deadlines, and rules change, so always confirm the exact figure with your state’s workers’ comp board or a licensed attorney before acting. Settlement estimates are illustrative, and every case is different.
- Your state workers’ comp board, division, or commission: the official source for your state’s exact caps, deadlines, and forms — search “[your state] workers compensation board”
- U.S. Department of Labor (OWCP): dol.gov — federal workers’ compensation overview
- NCCI: ncci.com — workers’ comp rating and benefit data
- Social Security Administration: ssa.gov — benefit-cap and SSDI offset data
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org — neutral workers’ comp background
Content last reviewed October 2026. If you notice an outdated figure, please contact us.
Related Guides
- Workers Comp Settlements by State (All 50)
- Workers Comp Claims by State (All 50)
- More in This Category
- Settlements by Injury
- Benefits Explained
- Workers Comp Glossary
Informational only — not legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers Comp Explained is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, insurer, or medical or financial advisor, and this page does not provide legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers’ compensation benefits, deadlines, and rules vary by state and change over time, and settlement estimates are illustrative only. Always confirm the exact figure and any deadline with your state’s workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act.