Federal Employee Work Injuries (FECA)

How federal claims start

• Report the injury to your supervisor
• For a traumatic injury, file Form CA-1. For an occupational disease or condition that developed over time, file Form CA-2
• Keep copies of everything you file

Chiropractic care under FECA

Under FECA, chiropractic care is generally covered only for manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation that is demonstrated by X-ray. Other treatment may need a referral or authorization. Tell us you are a federal employee when you book so we can review what your claim covers before your first visit.

Who this applies to

U.S. Postal Service employees and most other civilian federal employees working in North Texas.

Should a federal employee file Form CA-1 or Form CA-2?

File Form CA-1 for a traumatic injury, meaning one that happened during a single work shift, such as lifting a heavy tray of mail. File Form CA-2 for an occupational disease, meaning a condition that developed over more than one shift, such as a back problem from years of repetitive loading.

Choosing the right form matters because the two claims follow different rules. A traumatic injury claim can open the door to continuation of pay. An occupational disease claim usually needs more detailed evidence connecting the condition to specific job duties over time.

Some injuries are not obvious. A sudden flare of pain on one shift can sit on top of years of strain. If you are unsure, ask your agency's injury compensation specialist, and tell your doctor the full story so the medical records describe what really happened.

• CA-1: traumatic injury within one work shift
• CA-2: occupational disease over more than one work shift
• Keep a copy of every form and the date you submitted it

What is continuation of pay and how do you protect it?

Continuation of pay, or COP, keeps your regular pay coming for up to 45 calendar days after a disabling traumatic injury, so you are not waiting on a claim decision. To qualify, you generally must give written notice on Form CA-1 within 30 days of the injury.

COP is paid by your agency, not by the Department of Labor, and it is only available for traumatic injuries. An occupational disease claimed on Form CA-2 does not qualify. Your agency can also stop COP if medical evidence supporting the disability is not provided, so prompt documentation from your doctor is important.

Separately, a FECA compensation claim generally must be filed within three years of the injury, with some exceptions. Waiting that long makes little sense in practice, since early records are usually the clearest.

How do you file a FECA claim through ECOMP?

Many federal employees file through ECOMP, the Department of Labor's online portal at ecomp.dol.gov. You register for an account, start Form CA-1 or CA-2 from your dashboard, and the form is routed to your agency before it reaches OWCP. You can also upload documents and follow your case there.

Agencies differ in how they handle the process, so ask your supervisor or injury compensation office which steps apply to you. Some agencies have specialists who walk employees through the portal the first time.

Once a case number is assigned, share it with us. Your case number helps our office direct records and bills to the right claim and avoids delays when documents arrive without it.

What does FECA pay for when you see a chiropractor?

Under FECA, chiropractic care is generally covered only as manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation that has been demonstrated by x-ray. That means imaging and a report connecting the subluxation to your work injury are central to the claim. Other services may need a referral or separate authorization.

Because of that limit, the timing and quality of the x-ray and the written report matter a great deal. The report should give a specific diagnosis based on the imaging and explain how the finding relates to the injury you reported.

Physical therapy, rehabilitation or other treatment you receive may be paid differently or not at all depending on how your claim is set up. We review your coverage with you before treatment so there are no surprises, and we will tell you plainly if a service may not be covered.

Can you choose your own doctor for a federal work injury?

Yes. The Department of Labor says you have the right to select the first doctor who treats your injury, and referrals from that doctor for work related conditions are generally honored. Your agency may issue Form CA-16, which can authorize initial treatment for up to 60 days after a traumatic injury.

Changing doctors later usually requires OWCP approval, so the first choice is worth making carefully. Pick a provider who understands FECA paperwork and the specific rules for your type of care.

Postal workers and other federal employees across Dallas, Tarrant, Denton and Collin counties can call (972) 556-5667 to talk about their claim before scheduling.

What should a doctor's report say for a federal work injury claim?

A useful FECA medical report describes how the injury happened in your own words, what the exam and any imaging showed, a specific diagnosis, and a clear explanation of how the job caused or aggravated the condition. It also states whether you can work and with what limits.

Claims examiners at OWCP read many reports, and general statements such as back pain from work rarely answer their questions. The more specific the history, the better. Tell your doctor the exact task, the weight or motion involved, how long you had been doing it and when symptoms began.

For occupational disease claims on Form CA-2, the report usually needs to walk through your job duties over time. A written description of your daily tasks, sometimes available from your supervisor or position description, can help your doctor connect the dots.

Our providers write reports with these points in mind and send them where your claim requires. If OWCP asks for more information, bring the letter to your next visit so we can see exactly what was requested and respond to the actual question.

• How and when the injury happened
• Exam and imaging findings
• A specific diagnosis
• How the work activity caused or aggravated the condition
• Current work capacity and restrictions

Frequently asked questions

This page is general information, not legal advice. For questions about a claim, talk to an attorney or the agency that handles your claim.