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
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Wednesday Night OWCP Chats with Chris & Gini

Live from Las Vegas, Chris and Gini dive into the technical—but critical—foundations of filing a federal injury claim. If you have ever been confused about whether your injury counts as a "traumatic injury" or an "occupational disease," filing the wrong paperwork can sink your case before it starts.

In this episode, we break down the specific differences between Form CA-1 and Form CA-2. More importantly, Chris issues a stern warning about why you should never use your personal health insurance for a work injury if you can avoid it, and why "appealing" a decision is often the wrong legal move compared to a "Request for Reconsideration."

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• The Forms Defined: How to know if your injury requires a CA-1 (Single Shift/Traumatic) or a CA-2 (Two or more shifts/Occupational).
• The Health Insurance Trap: Why using your own insurance forfeits your right to mileage reimbursement, time-back buyback, and Schedule Awards.
• The "1 in 13" Stat: In 2018, only 1 out of 13 federal claims were accepted—usually because private doctors write insufficient narratives.
• Don't "Appeal": Why clicking the "Appeal" button is a mistake, and why you should file a Request for Reconsideration with new evidence instead.
• The "Penalty" Statute: The specific law (5420.33) you need to cite if a supervisor refuses to process your claim.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] Live from Las Vegas: Birthday celebrations and intros.
• [02:00] Topic 1: CA-1 (Traumatic) vs. CA-2 (Occupational) – Which one do you need?
• [03:30] Why you must sit with your supervisor while they fill out Page 2.
• [05:15] Topic 2: OWCP vs. Health Insurance – Why private insurance kills your benefits.
• [08:20] Stop saying "Appeal": The power of the Request for Reconsideration.
• [12:30] Q&A: What to do when DOL won't accept medical docs directly from you.
• [14:40] Q&A: Getting paid on a CA-7 and the 5-day submission law.
• [24:15] Defining MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement) and Schedule Awards.
• [33:00] The Supervisor Penalty: Citing 5420.33 (Penalty for failure to process claim) for a listener in Texas.

Key Laws & Codes Mentioned:

• 5420.33: Penalty for failure to process a claim (Up to $500 fine or imprisonment).
• 20 CFR 10.110: Supervisor obligation to fill out forms.

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

Are you one of the 12 out of 13 federal employees whose work injury claim gets denied? In this episode of Breaking OWCP, Chris from Federal Injury Centers tackles the #2 reason claims fail: Management giving employees a hard time.

If your supervisor is refusing to help, claiming they "don't have time," or arguing that you aren't really hurt, they might be breaking federal law. Chris breaks down the specific Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) you need to quote to management, how to use OSHA whistleblower protections to your advantage, and the "All In" poker move that forces your agency to process your paperwork.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• The shocking statistic: Why only 1 in 13 federal injury claims were accepted in 2018.
• The Law: Specific breakdown of 20 CFR 10.16 and 20 CFR 10.110—why impeding a FECA claim is a crime and why your employer must give you a receipt.
• The OSHA Option: How to use the whistleblower hotline (1-800-321-OSHA) if you are being threatened or ignored.
• The "All In" Strategy: How to print, fill, and force the submission of your own CA-1 or CA-2 forms.
• Medical Evidence: Why your supervisor is legally forbidden from waiting for medical records before submitting your forms.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] Intro: The grim statistics of accepted federal injury claims.
• [01:45] The Supervisor's Obligation: What the Dept. of Labor training module actually says.
• [02:45] Know Your Rights: 20 CFR 10.16 – Is your supervisor committing a crime by impeding your claim?
• [03:48] The Receipt Rule: Why you must leave the office with signed copies.
• [06:30] The Nuclear Option: Calling OSHA and filing a whistleblower complaint.
• [08:40] Advice for USPS Employees: When to call the Postal Inspector.
• [10:30] The "Poker Move": How to file your own forms when management refuses.
• [15:30] Q&A: Stem cell therapy coverage and settlements.
• [17:40] Q&A: How to appeal a denied claim (Reconsideration vs. Oral Hearing).
• [24:10] Explaining Consequential Injuries vs. Recurrences.
• [29:00] The struggle of finding doctors who understand OWCP narratives.

Relevant Laws & Resources Mentioned:

• 20 CFR 10.16: Wrongfully impeding a FECA claim.
• 20 CFR 10.110: Employer obligations to process forms within 10 days.
• 5 USC 8122: The 3-year statute of limitations for filing.
• OSHA Whistleblower Complaint: 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