OWCP and the Federal Employment Compensation Act
Thursday, April 14, 2011

If you’re unfortunate enough to suffer a work related injury it is important to not only file a claim, but to file it properly. All employees of the FAA are covered by the Federal Employment Compensation Act (FECA), which provides for medical care and compensation for any loss of pay or benefits.

Navigating through the FECA waters in some cases is extremely difficult and convoluted. Fortunately for us, though most of the bargaining units we represent perform highly critical tasks, these tasks do not lead to a lot of work related injuries. On the flip side, since our bargaining units file so few claims, most facility representatives and agency managers have also never been through the process. NATCA has an Office of Workers Compensation (OWCP) Committee made up of a NATCA member from each region. The sole reason for the existence of the committee is to help members and facility representatives when a work related injury occurs. 

The OWCP committee would like to pass on these important helpful steps for you to follow:

  • If injured at work, file a claim immediately; the agency is required to have the forms available at each facility. 
    • When filling out Box 13 of the CA-1, please describe what happened in layman’s terms, do not use acronyms such as operation errors, near mid air collisions, etc.
  • If you need medical attention ask for a CA-16 (this form authorizes medical care).
  • If you sought medical care, provide documentation to the agency within 10 days of the injury.
  • As soon you are medically able, advise your FacRep.
  • FacReps, as soon as you have been made aware of the injury, notify your OWCP Committee member.

If you would like to contact an OWCP Committee member the information is contained at http://www.natcamembers.org/.

Kevin Bianchi
NATCA OWCP Committee