# DLA Energy employees learn about workers’ compensation

/ Published Jan. 19, 2023
FORT BELVOIR, Va., 
Work-related injuries sustained in the performance of duty such as a slip, trip or fall, a cut from a box cutter or hearing loss due to noise exposure can result in a workplace injury. Whatever the cause, federal employees have benefits afforded to them under the provision of the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act.

During a Defense Logistics Agency Energy virtual Lunch & Learn on Jan. 17, employees learned more about injury claims, benefits, responsibilities, and resources available from the DLA Injury Compensation Office. Director Donna Estep and members of her team Donna Carr, June Bullock and Michele Robinson led the discussion.

“The DLA Injury Compensation Office is a one-stop shop for all work-related injury assistance, guidance and support throughout the process,” Estep said. She has been involved with DLA’s workers’ compensation program since its formal establishment in 2002. “We take care of our injured workers, ensure they receive benefits of the program, and are always looking for an opportunity to improve the program and enhance our processes and procedures.”

While DLA takes every effort to maintain a safe workplace, accidents happen. In fiscal year 2022, 449 new injury claims were filed accounting for 1.87% of the DLA workforce. In FY21, there were 337 claims filed accounting for 1.37% of the workforce.

The Federal Employees’ Compensation Act, which provides medical and compensation benefits to federal civilian employees for work-related injuries or illnesses, and to their surviving dependents if a work-related injury or illness results in the employee’s death, is administered by the Department of Labor and governed by 5 USC 8101 and 20 CFR Part 10.

Employees who are injured while on duty should immediately notify their supervisor and seek any needed medical care, Estep said. The employee then needs to complete one of two U.S. DOL Claim Forms. The Federal Employee’s Notice of Traumatic Injury and Claim for Continuation of Pay/Compensation, or CA-1 form, is for an acute injury from a specific, one-time incident. For workplace injuries accrued over time, the form to use is CA-2, Notice of Occupational Disease and Claim for Compensation. 

While paper copies are acceptable, employees may prefer to use the U.S. Department of Labor Employees' Compensation Operations & Management Portal web-based application. Using the portal, employees can efficiently file a claim online, upload medical and other documentation, forward it through the chain of command, and check claim status.

“The agency has a period of 14 days to submit new claims for review to the Department of Labor,” Bullock said. “Once the supervisor receives the claim form, the supervisor should immediately review, complete the supervisory portion and submit it to the Injury Compensation Office.”

If the form is completed online through the ECOMP web application, it will be electronically processed to the correct office(s). Bullock said supervisors should submit paper forms to ICC@dla.mil.

“Our office is thoroughly involved in the process,” Carr said. “We receive and process new injury claims; liaison with Department of Labor, medical providers, injured employees and supervisors; work with supervisors to challenge questionable claims and review them for fraud indications; and assist injured employees.”

The Department of Labor, not DLA, is the authority to accept or deny claims and determine entitlement to compensation, medical benefits, and continuation of pay, Carr said.

Although the Department of Labor makes the final decision on claims, Estep said her staff is available to answer any questions.

“Our goal is to facilitate returning the injured employee back to work,” she said. “We are here to support you and help the employee work through the process.”

Their toll-free number is (866) 737-9724 and email address is ICC@dla.mil. You can also find resources on the DLA Workers’ Compensation Website (CAC required).