1. If the injury to the employee requires emergency medical treatment, ensure that arrangements for care are made.

2. If the employee's injury results from a specific event or series of events during one day or shift, a Form CA-1, Federal Employee's Notice of Traumatic Injury and Claim for Continuation of Pay/Compensation, should be filed. If the employee is incapacitated and unable to file the form, an Agency representative can file the form for the employee. Contact your Agency Injury Compensation Specialist for guidance on filing a claim on behalf of an employee.

3. If the employee has a traumatic injury, Form CA-16, Authorization for Examination and/or Treatment, should be provided in accordance with Agency procedure. This form should be issued within four hours of the injury, whether the claim appears valid or not. For questionable claims, box 6b should be checked to indicate the doubtful nature of the injury. Only one Form CA-16 may be issued per traumatic injury. Form CA-16 may not be issued for past medical care, except within 48 hours after emergency treatment if treatment was verbally authorized beforehand. For questions regarding issuance of Form CA-16, contact your Agency Injury Compensation Specialist for further guidance.

4. If the employee develops a condition due to prolonged exposure lasting more than one day or shift, complete a Form CA-2, Federal Employee's Notice of Occupational Disease and Claim for Compensation.

5. The Department of Labor Employees’ Compensation Operation & Management Portal (ECOMP) can be used to file electronically workers’ compensation claims and to review claims submitted via ECOMP by injured employees. More information about Supervisory review of claims may be found in ECOMP.

6. When reviewing Form CA-1 or Form CA-2, check to see that the facts are consistent. You need not have witnessed the injury to agree with the stated history. Review the form and submit immediately, whether or not you feel that the claim should be approved. ECOMP transmits the form to your designated Injury Specialist who will review and authenticate. If you have specific information that casts doubt on the claim's validity, you may challenge the claim by providing supporting information for the challenge. Challenged claims must be submitted within regulatory timeframes. If you have questions regarding a challenge to a claim, contact your Agency Injury Compensation Specialist for further guidance.

7. Per Federal Employees’ Compensation Act Regulations, Agencies have 10 working days from the date the employee submits the claim in ECOMP or provides the hard copy claim form to the Supervisor to transmit the claim to OWCP.

8. Employees with a traumatic injury are entitled to Continuation of Pay (COP) for absences due to disability for work, obtaining medical treatment, or lost elements of pay. COP is payable for not more than 45 calendar days. Any such absence must be supported by medical documentation. The specific COP periods should be clearly indicated on the time and attendance sheets, whether the employee loses entire days or only parts of a day. If you are unfamiliar with the COP provisions, contact your Agency Injury Compensation Specialist for guidance and additional information.