Printing - FECA-PT2 - National Association of Letter Carriers

c. Witnesses. Statements from witnesses are not required in the same way as affidavits from
the claimant and employing agency; a claim may be approved in the absence of witness
statements. They are very useful, however, when the employing agency is unable to confirm or
refute the claimant's allegations. Such statements may be obtained by the claimant, the agency,
or OWCP, depending on the circumstances of the case. The agency should be asked to obtain
these statements from witnesses who are its employees.
d. Medical Sources. These sources include reports of doctors and hospitals providing
examination or treatment to the employee either before or after the injury. The CE should request
medical evidence which is in the possession of Federal medical officers or hospitals, or which is
maintained by a doctor who attended the claimant through authorizatoin by OWCP. The claimant
is responsible for obtaining the medical reports in all other situations.
Requests for reports or records from a Veterans Administration (VA) hospital or clinic should be
sent to the vacility which provided the service ( the addresses of all VA facilities appear in the U.S.
Government Organization Manual). A completed Form CA-57, Authorization for Release of
Information, must accompany the request, which should also contain the employee's VA claim
number, date of birth, and military service number or Social Security Number.
e. Other Sources. In most cases, the required evidence will be available from one of the
sources noted above. In certain cases, however, the CE will need to request evidence from other
sources. For meteorological information, the CE may contact the Department of Commerce,
Environmental Data Service, National Climatic Center, Federal Building, 151 Patton Avenue,
Asheville, NC 28801-5001. This agency will supply information by telephone or in writing by
request.
2-0800-7 Obtaining Evidence from Employing Agencies
7. Obtaining Evidence from Employing Agencies. OWCP will attempt to obtain evidence in possession
of another Federal agency. Following is a description of the procedures which should be used with respect
to requests for information from employing agencies.
a. Factual Evidence. If the agency has factual evidence which is necessary to make a decision
in the claim, the CE should make a written request with a copy to the claimant, indicating a time
period within which the agency should reply. The agency should be advised that if it fails to
provide the requested information, a decision will be made on the basis of available evidence and
that the claimant's statements, if sufficiently clear and detailed, will be accepted on matters
concerning which he or she is knowledgeable.
b. Medical Evidence. If it appears that the agency has medical records in its possession
pertaining to the injury or to any relevant pre-existing condition, the CE should ask the agency to
submit copies of such records if they are not sent with the original submission.
2-0800-8 Special Situations
8. Special Situations.
a. Group Injuries. Where two or more employees are injured in the same incident, such as an
explosion or auto accident, or by the same substance, such as contaminated drinking water, the
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