Are you tired of supervisors "losing" your paperwork, denying your medical restrictions, or flat-out refusing to give you the forms you need to file a work injury? In this highly charged episode of Breaking OWCP, Chris and Gini break down three of the most critical forms in the federal workers' comp system: the CA-16, CA-17, and CA-7.

But that's not all. After hearing countless heartbreaking stories of federal employees losing their homes and jobs due to management's malicious delays, Chris drops the ultimate hammer. He reveals a devastating 5-step action plan—straight from a top union guru—designed to hold abusive supervisors accountable and force them to do their jobs.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• The CA-16 (The Golden Ticket): This form pays all your medical bills for the first 60 days. Learn the strict 7-day reporting rule to qualify and the "4-Hour Rule" your supervisor must follow to issue it.
• The CA-17 (Duty Status Report): Why this form must always originate with management (Side A) before going to your doctor (Side B), and how it acts as a medical shield to protect your job and enforce your physical restrictions.
• The CA-7 (Claim for Compensation): How to get paid when you are taken off work. Discover the exact supporting documents you must attach (like the CA-20 and doctor's notes) to avoid a denial, and how to use the ECOMP portal if your agency refuses to submit your CA-7 within the mandatory 5-day window.
• The "Hashtag File a Grievance" 5-Step Plan: Chris's ultimate defense strategy against management bullying:
  1. File a grievance with your union steward immediately.
  2. Involve the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
  3. File an EEO complaint with your union's help.
  4. Call OSHA (1-800-321-OSHA) to report safety violations regarding ignored medical restrictions.
  5. Take the issue to the Labor Board to trigger massive financial penalties against the agency.

Timestamps:

• [02:00] The CA-16 Form: Getting your bills paid for 60 days and enforcing the 4-hour rule.
• [08:45] The CA-17 Form: Why it's the only way a doctor can restrict your duties or take you off work.
• [22:00] Q&A: Can management force you back to full duty when you have medical restrictions?
• [33:00] The CA-7 Form: How to claim compensation for leave without pay and schedule awards.
• [47:30] The Big Reveal: The 5-step action plan to fight back against abusive supervisors.
• [55:00] Q&A Lightning Round: Occupational diseases, reporting timelines, and dealing with bad instructions from management.

Website for Locations. www.federalinjurycenters.com
Contact: 877-787-OWCP or message us Facebook
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To Email information: Info@federalinjurycenters.com
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Wednesday Night OWCP Chats with Chris & Gini

What if there was a form that existed for 32 years, specifically designed to tell federal employees exactly what to do when they get hurt—yet almost no one has ever seen it? In this episode of Breaking OWCP, Chris dives deep into his favorite topic: The CA-10 Form.

Chris explains why the CA-10 is supposed to be posted on every employee bulletin board, and breaks down its five simple steps that can be the difference between an accepted claim and a denied one. Later in the episode, Chris circles back to MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement), explaining how to transition from medical treatment to receiving a cash Schedule Award.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• The Missing CA-10: Why you need to print this form immediately and post it in your breakroom or union hall.
• The 4-Hour Rule (CA-16): How to force your agency to pay your medical bills for the first 60 days, and why your supervisor only has 4 hours to give you this form.
• Choosing Your Doctor: The law explicitly states you cannot be forced to use an agency-contracted doctor (like an urgent care or VA doctor). Chris explains why picking the right doctor first prevents the nightmare of changing treating physicians later.
• The "Notice of Receipt": Why leaving the supervisor's office without a signed copy of your CA-1/CA-2 receipt is a massive mistake.
• COP (Continuation of Pay): You have 3 years to report an injury, but only 30 days to report if you want to receive COP.
• MMI & Schedule Awards: A deep dive into Maximum Medical Improvement, the AMA 6th Edition impairment rating, and why spine injuries cannot receive a Schedule Award (unless they affect the extremities).

Timestamps:

• [01:00] The 32-year mystery of the CA-10 Form.
• [04:45] Step 1: Reporting to your supervisor (The 3-Year vs. 30-Day rules).
• [06:45] Step 2: The CA-16 Form and the 4-Hour deadline to get your bills paid.
• [08:10] Step 3: Your right to choose your initial treating physician.
• [11:00] Step 4: Forcing your supervisor to process your CA-1 or CA-2 forms.
• [13:30] Step 5: The "Notice of Receipt" and COP elections.
• [28:15] Topic 2: Defining MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement).
• [29:00] The AMA 6th Edition rule for Schedule Awards.
• [36:00] Q&A: Adding conditions via a "Diagnosis Expansion."
• [37:00] Q&A: What happens if you hit MMI but still can't do your job? (Federal Disability vs. Schedule Awards).

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
Find Us on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram @
Wednesday Night OWCP Chats with Chris & Gini

Is your OWCP claim denied? Don't panic—and more importantly, don't just click "Appeal." In this episode of Breaking OWCP, Chris and Gini reveal why the standard appeal process often fails and why the Request for Reconsideration is your actual path to approval.

Chris shares a specific "speed reading" hack to find the exact reason your claim was denied within the decision letter, allowing you to fix the narrative with your doctor. We also breakdown the complex world of MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement), how it leads to cash payouts via Schedule Awards, and why you must report your injuries before you retire if you want lifetime medical benefits.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• The "Appeal" Trap: Why you should almost always check the box for "Reconsideration" (to submit new evidence) rather than an Oral Hearing or ECAB appeal.
• The "Specifically" Hack: How to scan your denial letter for the paragraph starting with the word "Specifically" to find the exact error your doctor needs to fix.
• Retirement Rules: Why reporting an injury after you retire is a recipe for denial, and how to lock in lifetime medical benefits before you leave.
• The 72-Hour Myth: Debunking the lie that you only have 3 days to report an injury (The law says you have 3 years).
• MMI Explained: What Maximum Medical Improvement means, why you need an AMA 6th Edition impairment rating, and how to file for a Schedule Award (Form CA-7, Box D).
• Supervisor Bullying: When to call OSHA (1-800-321-OSHA) if a supervisor violates your CA-17 medical restrictions.

Timestamps:

• [01:50] Topic 1: What to do when your claim is denied (It’s usually the doctor’s fault).
• [05:00] The Appeal Form: Why "Reconsideration" is the only box that matters.
• [09:00] What a doctor’s narrative must say (avoiding "medical probability").
• [11:15] The Hack: Finding the "Specifically" paragraph in your denial letter.
• [14:30] OWCP & Retirement: Why you must file while still employed.
• [20:00] Busting the "72 Hour" reporting myth.
• [23:30] Modified Job Offers: What to do if they violate your medical restrictions.
• [27:45] Form CA-17 Side A: The Supervisor's mandatory responsibility.
• [41:30] Topic 2: MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement) defined.
• [43:00] The 6th Edition Impairment Rating & Schedule Awards (Box D).

Key Laws & Resources Mentioned:

• Schedule Award: Filed via Form CA-7 (Box D) after reaching MMI.
• Reconsideration: You have 12 months from a denial to file this with new evidence.
• Reporting Timeline: You have 3 years to file a claim (statutory), though 30 days is required for COP (Continuation of Pay).
• OSHA: osha.gov or 1-800-321-OSHA.

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
Find Us on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram @
Wednesday Night OWCP Chats with Chris & Gini