Chris and Gini host their final Wednesday night OWCP chat before a two-week break, covering essential workers' compensation topics in a Q&A format. They discuss claim approvals, denials, common supervisor violations, and upcoming training opportunities.
Key Announcements
- National OWCP Convention: Sunday, November 16th, 3-6 PM Eastern (Facebook only)
- Upcoming Travel: Utah meetings and BYU vs. Utes game, followed by FOA National Convention in Wisconsin
- Woodshed Night: October 29th - covering rules, laws, and regulations supervisors violate
- New Leadership: Congratulations to Jonathan Smith, new APW National President
- FIC Tallahassee: Opening December 1st (Dr. Stephick)
Critical Statistics Discussed
- Only 6.78% of non-postal federal employees had accepted claims in 2023 (down from historical 14%)
- Federal Injury Centers maintains over 95% success rate
- Most denials are due to inadequate medical documentation, not claim examiner bias
Major Topics Covered
1. Understanding Claim Denials
- Denials happen due to inadequate medical narratives from doctors
- You DON'T need an attorney for denied claims
- File reconsideration with improved narrative addressing denial reasons
- Attorneys are only necessary for: car wrecks on the job, federal disability, schedule awards with second opinion denials
2. Essential Forms & Processes
- CA-10: What federal employees should do when injured (often hidden from workers)
- CA-16: Pays all medical bills for 60 days, must be issued within 4 hours of reported injury
- CA-17: Limited duty form - supervisors cannot withhold until claim is approved
- CA-7/CA-7A: Payment forms for intermittent time off
- CA-2A: Notice of recurrence (verify with doctor first that it's same injury)
**3. The "Black Sharpie Method"
- When supervisors refuse to complete CA-17 side A
- Write "Supervisor [name] refused to issue" in black Sharpie
- Submit to claims examiner to create accountability
- Prevents supervisor from ignoring medical restrictions
**4. Common Supervisor Violations
- Refusing to issue CA-16 within 4 hours
- Withholding CA-17 until claim approval
- Retaliating against injured workers (federal crime: fines, imprisonment, or both)
- Sending workers home claiming "no work available" on restrictions
- Not honoring limited duty assignments
**5. Payment & Benefits
- Choose COP (Continuation of Pay) over sick/annual leave
- Pay based on current salary if working full-time, or pre-injury pay with blanket increases
- Mileage reimbursement limited to 100 miles round trip (get authorization for more)
- Lifetime medical coverage for accepted claims
- Schedule awards available for permanent impairment
6. Key Rules & Rights
- Report injuries NOW (within 7 days maximum, but immediately is best)
- You have the right to choose your own doctor
- Supervisors cannot tell you where to go for treatment
- Rural carriers: job held for 2 years; other crafts: 1 year
- Retaliation for reporting injuries is ILLEGAL
**7. Getting Help
- File grievances through your union for supervisor violations
- Contact claims examiner directly about issues
- Call OSHA: 1-800-321-OSHA for retaliation
- Contact Inspector General or Postal Inspectors
- Replace nurse case
Website for Locations. www.federalinjurycenters.com
Contact: 877-787-OWCP or message us Facebook
To Buy The Book: www.breakingowcp.com
To Email information: Info@federalinjurycenters.com
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Wednesday Night OWCP Chats with Chris & Gini
