What happens if an injured federal worker’s condition worsens or they experience a recurrence of their original injury, and how can they seek additional FECA benefits in these situations?

In some instances, you may experience a worsening of your condition or original injury due to factors beyond your control, and despite comprehensive medical treatment. In such instances, you must let your employer or supervisor know, and then begin filling in form CA-2a if you experienced a recurrence of your original injury, or your occupational disease, respectively. As always, medical evidence is key in these cases, so make sure that your doctor completes an objective written medical assessment going into detail about your condition’s recurrence as well as their objective medical opinion on how this recurrence is related to the previous and original injury or illness. Often, this is where the medical providers request assistance from our office.

Once OWCP receives your documentation, they will assess the evidence and determine whether or not there is indeed a causal relationship between your recurrence and the original condition. They will then either approve or reject your new claim, which if approved, you may receive your wage-loss, as well as the cost of any additional medical treatment you may require going forward.