Injured on the Job? What Denver Federal Workers Should Do First

Step 1 — Report the Injury the Same Day

Notify your supervisor in writing the day it happens. Not "next shift," not "when I feel better." Written notice — even a short email — creates the timestamp OWCP will look for later. If you can't write it yourself, ask a coworker or union rep to help.

Step 2 — File the Right Form

• CA-1 for a traumatic injury (one shift, one event) — think slip, fall, lift, motor vehicle
• CA-2 for an occupational disease (repetitive or cumulative) — think carpal tunnel, chronic back pain, hearing loss
• File through ECOMP whenever your agency uses it — it's faster and creates an audit trail

Step 3 — Get Medical Care from an OWCP Provider

Do not default to your primary care physician or a random urgent care. Most private providers don't know how to bill DOL, don't complete CA-17 duty status forms, and won't write causation language that meets OWCP standards. Under FECA you have the right to choose your treating physician — pick a Denver clinic that regularly handles federal workers' comp.

Step 4 — Elect Continuation of Pay (COP)

On a CA-1, you can elect up to 45 calendar days of COP — your agency keeps paying your regular salary while you recover. You must elect it on the form; it isn't automatic. COP does not apply to CA-2 occupational disease claims (see our CA-7 guide).

Step 5 — Keep Copies of Everything

Common Denver-Area Mistakes

• · Going to a Colorado state workers' comp clinic — those are for private-sector claims, not FECA.
• · Letting an agency safety office pick your doctor — the choice is yours.
• · Assuming a supervisor "reported it for you" — verify a CA-1 or CA-2 was actually filed in ECOMP.
• · Returning to full duty because you feel "mostly okay" — without a CA-17, you have no protection if you re-injure.