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A traumatic injury is defined as a wound or other
condition of the body that is caused by external force,
including stress or strain, identifiable in time and
place, and that is the result of an incident, or a
series of incidents, that occur during a single workday.
You or someone on your behalf should:
• Promptly notify your supervisor.
• Receive and complete Form CA-1, “Notice of Traumatic
Injury and Claim for COP.” It should be filled out
completely and accurately and submitted if possible
within two days of the injury.
• Select Continuation of Pay (COP) unless there is some
unusual reason to cause you to use your own leave. COP
is defined as an employee’s regular pay. It is paid by
the USPS, will be the same as your regular check, and it
may be continued up to 45 calendar days. COP is paid
only for traumatic injuries, not for occupational
illnesses or injuries.
If you have chosen COP on the Form CA-1 and you have
provided the required medical documentation within 10
days, then the USPS cannot refuse to pay COP unless one
of the reasons for termination of COP found in Section
545.51 of the Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM)
applies.
To be eligible for COP the Form CA-1 must be submitted
within 30 days of your traumatic injury. If COP is
denied because you did not file within 30 days, you may
still claim compensation for wage loss from OWCP on Form
CA-7, “Claim for Compensation.”
You are responsible for providing to the USPS within 10
working days after claiming COP prima facie medical
evidence that states that you have been totally disabled
as a direct result of your workplace injury. If this is
not done the USPS may stop your COP until they receive
the medical evidence (ELM 543.33)
• Receive Form CA-16, “Authorization for Examination and
Treatment,” and/or Form CA-17, “Duty Status Report” as
appropriate.
An employee is entitled to the initial selection of a
physician for treatment of an injury. USPS management
may not interfere with your right to choose a treating
physician. They may contact your physician by telephone
to determine if the physician is able to see you, or
write to your physician in order to obtain additional
information about your duty status or medical progress.
(ELM 543).
• Insist that you be fully informed of your FECA rights
if you receive any medical treatment including first
aid.
If you need emergency treatment, a supervisor may
accompany you to the doctor’s office or hospital in
order to make certain that you receive prompt treatment
(ELM 543.142)
If it is not a medical emergency, then the USPS may
require that you be examined (not treated) by a USPS
medical provider prior to your obtaining medical
treatment examination must be performed promptly and
must in no way interfere with your right to receive
prompt attention from the physician that you have chosen
(ELM 543.11)
Remember, if it is not an emergency, a supervisor is not
authorized to go with you to a medical facility (ELM
543.223).
• Request Form CA-&, “Claim for Compensation,” if your
treating physician believes that your disability (either
total or partial) is going to continue beyond the 45
calendars days of COP. Complete it and submit it to the
USPS at least 5 working days prior to the end of your 45
days Of COP. Attached to the Form CA-7 is a Form CA-20,
“Attending Physician Report,” which must be completed
fully and accurately by your physician.
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