Our Mission

The Board's mission is to hear and decide cases on appeal from decisions of the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act in an impartial and expeditious manner. The decisions of the Board are made in accordance with its statutory mandate, based on a thorough review of the case record as compiled by OWCP. Injured federal workers have the opportunity for a full evidentiary hearing with OWCP's Branch of Hearings and Review prior to review of the record by the Board.

How to File an Appeal

File, track, or understand your case with ECAB tools and resources. Appeal a final decision made by OWCP on a federal workers' compensation claim under FECA.

Learn about the Rules of Practice and Procedure

ECAB's Rules of Procedure, codified at 20 C.F.R. Part 501, govern the filing and processing of appeals from final OWCP decisions. These rules cover key requirements including filing deadlines, evidence standards, representation, oral argument, and reconsideration procedures.

Processing an Appeal and Practice and Procedure Before ECAB

File an Appeal Online

ECAB uses EFS (eFile/eServe)for electronic filing. Through EFS, parties can:

  • File new appeals, briefs, motions, and other documents

  • Receive electronic service of ECAB-issued decisions and orders

  • Check the status of existing appeals

EFS is available 24 hours a day. As of April 12, 2021, attorneys and lay representatives are required to file documents electronically through EFS unless they have received an exemption (refer to § 501.3 (b)(1)).

To file electronically, you must register as a user at https://efile.dol.gov. Because the filing deadline for ECAB appeals is jurisdictional, register and familiarize yourself with EFS well before your deadline.

To file an appeal via mail or fax, complete and submit Form AB-1 .

File now via EFS

Board Decisions and Orders

General Notices

Contact Us

General Info

Case Inquiries: (866) 487-2365

U.S. Department of Labor
Office of the Clerk of the Appellate Boards
Room S-5220
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington D.C. 20210

General Questions

Use this mailbox to submit general questions (i.e., case status, case info., etc...) or comments about the Board.
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Technical Support

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