Understand the Form Before You File
This is an educational guide to the medical and practical issues surrounding the form. The official Department of Labor form, ECOMP, and current OWCP instructions control the actual filing process.
CA-1 or CA-2?
Use CA-1 when the injury can be identified to a specific event or events within one workday or shift. Conditions produced over more than one workday or shift generally fit CA-2.
The Date Matters
The employee identifies the specific injury date and the date notice was given. DOL states CA-1 must be submitted to the employing agency within 30 days for COP eligibility.
Medical Evidence
The claim still needs medical evidence that identifies the diagnosed condition and explains how the work event caused or aggravated it.
MEDICAL EVALUATION →Event → Injury → Diagnosis → Medical Causation
The form starts the claim, but the medical evidence must make the connection between the identified work event and the diagnosed condition understandable.