ECAB - Processing an Appeal

ECAB - Tramitación de una apelación En Español (PDF)

The Rules of Procedure of the Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board (Board), codified at 20 C.F.R. Part 501, govern the processing of appeals before Board judges. Click here for HTML or PDF versions of the regulations.

APPEALS: The Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board is an appellate body with jurisdiction to consider and decide appeals from final adverse decisions of the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). The Board is independent of and a separate agency distinct from OWCP. Once a final decision has been issued by OWCP, an appeal may be filed with the Board. The Rules of Procedure cited above establish the general procedures for filing and processing appeals from final adverse decisions of OWCP. The Board may not take jurisdiction from a decision of the Office unless an appeal is made by the individual adversely affected by the decision (appellant). The Rules require that, as of November 19, 2008, an appeal must be filed within 180 days following the date of the Office’s final decision. Every appeal is reviewed by a panel of judges who consider the case record and the arguments raised. All evidence is carefully considered before a decision is reached. The judges who consider your appeal will issue either a written decision explaining the action taken or an order disposing of the case. The Board strives to process appeals in the order in which they are filed and as expeditiously as possible.

NO NEW EVIDENCE: The Board’s jurisdiction is limited to a consideration of the evidence of record at the time of OWCP’s final decision from which the appeal is filed. The Board may not take jurisdiction over informational or other routine letters sent by OWCP pertaining to your claim. The judges may not consider new evidence on appeal. You must clearly state your disagreement with the OWCP decision and explain any factual or legal matter you want considered. Proceedings before the Board are informal and there is no requirement to file a pleading.

Should you have new evidence, you may submit it to OWCP with a request for reconsideration of your claim. Please be aware that the Board and OWCP may not have simultaneous jurisdiction over the same issue in a case. Following the docketing of an appeal, OWCP does not have jurisdiction regarding the issue on appeal to the Board. For example, you may appeal to the Board from a schedule award decision by OWCP, but OWCP would retain jurisdiction to develop other issues that may arise in your claim.

DOCKET NUMBER: When your appeal is filed with the Board, a docket number will be assigned. Please refer to your assigned docket number in all correspondence with the Board.

PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION: Following the decision by the Board, the decision is final and is not subject to review, except by request for reconsideration by the Board. If you are not satisfied with the Board’s decision, a petition for reconsideration may be filed. Petitions for reconsideration must be filed within 30 days from the date of issuance of the Board’s decision or order. After 30 days, the decision of the Board becomes final. Thereafter, any request to reopen the claim must be submitted to OWCP.

ORAL ARGUMENT: Oral argument is held in the discretion of the Board. Any request for oral argument must be submitted in writing to the Clerk’s office and specify the issue(s) for which argument is sought. Your request must be made no later than 60 days after filing the appeal. An appeal in which oral argument is not granted will proceed to a written decision based on the case record before the Board. If oral argument is granted, the Clerk’s office will notify you at least 30 days prior to the argument as to the date set and the issues preserved for argument.

• The Board does not reimburse any costs associated with attending oral argument.
• Oral argument must be confined to the evidence of record. There is no provision for the introduction of testimony, questioning of witnesses, or a transcription of the argument.

REPRESENTATION: You may proceed with an appeal to the Board without the assistance of an attorney or other representative. However, should you elect to have an attorney, union representative or other representative appear on your behalf, you must authorize such representation in writing, either by completing the relevant portions of the Appeal online or on the Form AB-1, or submitting a separate signed statement of authorization to the Clerk of the Appellate Boards.

FEES OF REPRESENTATIVES: All fees for representative services performed in connection with an appeal before the Board require prior approval by the Board. Receipt by a representative of any fee or other consideration for such legal services without approval is a misdemeanor. Disbursements for such items as travel, telephone calls, postage, etc. do not require approval; they are a matter for adjustment between the representative and client. An application for approval of a fee for services should not be submitted to the Board until after the appeal is closed. The fee application must be accompanied by an itemized statement of the time and character of work performed solely in connection with the appeal and state the amount of the fee requested. Due to the increasing number of fee applications received, representatives should submit their statements in a clear and understandable format addressing the regulatory requirements pursuant to 20 C.F.R. § 501(9)(e). The Board will mail a copy of the fee application to the appellant who is given the opportunity for comment. The payment of any fee approved by the Board is the responsibility of the appellant. For services performed for work before the OWCP, a separate fee application must be submitted to OWCP for approval.

ASSISTANCE OF THE CLERK’S OFFICE: Please be aware that the Clerk’s office cannot assist you with legal research, advice as to the issues on appeal or arguments that you may want considered by the judges, or provide a date when a decision will be issued. The assistance of the Clerk’s office is limited to procedural matters. You may find copies of Board decisions online, at the following LINK.