Injured federal employees often face one of the most unfamiliar puzzles in the federal workers compensation system: When do I file for a recurrence of injury?
Recurrence is a touchy subject and some OWCP claims examiners do not even fully understand the differences between a new injury, and aggravation of a pre-existing injury and a true recurrence.
There are two separate definitions you should be aware of: Recurrence of a medical condition, and recurrence of disability.
Recurrence of a medical condition is defined as the documented need for additional medical treatment after release from treatment for a work-related injury claim. Continuing, or getting additional treatments for the original injury is not part of recurrence a CA-2a is not required.
Recurrence of disability is a little different. A recurrence of disability is of course a work stoppage. However, it must be caused by a spontaneous return of symptoms, without an intervening cause, of a previously accepted OWCP claim’s medical condition. This can be either injury or occupational illness.
Recurrence of disability can also be filed on behalf of a consequential injury. A consequential injury is when an existing, accepted federal workers compensation claim injury/illness causes another medical condition or disability to arise because of impairment or weakening to the claimant.
A federal employee also must file a CA-2a form when a specific light duty assignment is withdrawn by the agency for some reason other than misconduct or non-performance of duty.
If a re-exposure to the cause of the original injury occurs, or a new incident contributes to your detrimental medical condition, that is not a recurrence, but a new injury and should be filed as such.
Consequential injuries, spontaneous worsening and withdrawal of light duty are the only reasons any federal employee should file a recurrence of injury CA-2a claim with the OWCP.
If you have been hurt on the job, or your claim is being denied because the medical documentation has confused your doctor or claims examiner, find a federal physician who understands what it takes to straighten things out. Here at FedDoctor.com, we want every federal employee to find a doctor that understands the OWCP rules and regulations and can get you the right medical care and the federal paperwork needs to appease your claims examiner and help you get your benefits.
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