CA-2 · OWCP Form
Notice of Occupational Disease and Claim for Compensation
The form for a condition that develops over time — repetitive strain, chronic exposure, cumulative trauma.
Who Files
The injured federal employee. The agency completes its portion and forwards to OWCP.
When to File
As soon as you connect a chronic condition (e.g., carpal tunnel, hearing loss, back strain from years of duties) to your job. Don't wait for the condition to become severe.
Deadline
3 years from the date you became aware that your condition is work-related — not the date of first symptoms. For long-developing conditions this distinction matters.
What the Form Does
Establishes occupational disease as the cause and starts the OWCP claim. Unlike CA-1, there is no automatic Continuation of Pay; lost wages must be claimed via CA-7.
The Doctor's Role
Your physician must explicitly link the diagnosed condition to your job duties — by mechanism, frequency, and duration of exposure. Vague reports get CA-2 claims denied.
Common Mistakes That Delay Your Claim
- ✕Filing CA-1 instead of CA-2 for a cumulative condition (gets denied as 'no traumatic event')
- ✕Underdocumenting work history (CA-2 needs detailed exposure narrative)
- ✕Skipping diagnostics like EMG/NCV that prove the work-related causation
- ✕Missing the 3-year window because you delayed connecting symptoms to work
Where to Get the Official CA-2 Form
The official CA-2 form is published by the U.S. Department of Labor at dol.gov/agencies/owcp/FECA/forms. Your employing agency should also have copies on hand. We help you complete the form correctly during your visit.