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Federal Workforce

Your OWCP Form CA-2, Occupational Disease Claim, Explained

CA-2Federal noticeChecked against an official source

Also called: Notice of Occupational Disease and Claim for Compensation

Last reviewed 2026-07-11

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What this notice usually means

Form CA-2 reports an occupational disease. This means a condition from work activities over more than one shift. It is not a single injury event. A FECA claim generally must be filed within 3 years of the injury date. For a slow developing condition, that clock starts differently. It starts when you knew, or should have known, the condition was linked to your work. The Department of Labor decides your claim.

What to do now

  1. 1

    Mark when you first connected your illness to your job

    Your 3 year filing clock starts at a specific point. It starts when you knew, or should have known, your illness was linked to your work.

  2. 2

    File within 3 years of that awareness date

    A FECA claim generally must be filed within 3 years. Filing on time protects your right to compensation. You will not need to rely on an exception.

  3. 3

    Know the narrow exception if you miss 3 years

    You may still get paid after 3 years in two cases. Written notice of the injury was given within 30 days. Or your employer knew about it within 30 days.

  4. 4

    Explain any delay directly on the form

    Did you file more than 30 days after you realized the illness was work related? CA-2 asks you to explain the delay.

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Deadline

A FECA claim generally must be filed within 3 years of the injury date. For an occupational disease, the clock starts differently. It starts when you knew, or should have known, your condition was linked to your work.

“The Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) provides that a claim for compensation must be filed within 3 years of the date of injury.”

From U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP)Retrieved 2026-07-11

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Sources

Last reviewed 2026-07-11

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