G.H. and U.S. Postal Service, South Suburban Vehicle Maintenance Facility, Bedford Park, IL (Board decision, September 7, 2023)

ECAB final decision. The Board dismissed an untimely appeal from OWCP’s February 1, 2022 decision. It did not review the merits. A party may petition the Board for reconsideration within 30 days of issuance unless this order specifies another period, under 20 C.F.R. § 501.7(a).

Plain-English summary

A postal employee appealed an OWCP decision more than 180 days after it was issued. The Board found no supported compelling circumstance that would excuse the late filing. It dismissed the appeal for lack of jurisdiction without reaching the underlying claim.

Decision snapshot

• Authority: Board appeal filing deadline, 20 C.F.R. § 501.3(e).
• Outcome: Appeal dismissed as untimely.
• Key point: An appeal filed beyond the Board’s 180 day deadline can be dismissed without merits review.

Full text (ECAB public release)

United States Department of Labor
Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board

________
)
G.H., Appellant
)
)
and ) Docket No. 23-0970
) Issued: September 7, 2023
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE, SOUTH SUBURBAN
)
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE FACILITY,
)
Bedford Park, IL
)
__________ )

Appearances: Case Submitted on the Record
Appellant, pro se
Office of Solicitor, for the Director

ORDER DISMISSING APPEAL

Before:
PATRICIA H. FITZGERALD, Deputy Chief Judge VALERIE D. EVANS-HARRELL, Alternate Judge JAMES D. McGINLEY, Alternate Judge

On July 6, 2023 appellant filed an appeal from a February 1, 2022 merit decision of the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). The Clerk of the Appellate Boards assigned the appeal Docket No. 23-0970.

The Board has duly considered the matter and notes that the Board has jurisdiction to review final adverse decisions of OWCP issued under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA).1 For final adverse decisions of OWCP issued on or after November 19, 2008, the Board’s review authority is limited to appeals which are filed within 180 days from the date of issuance of OWCP’s decision.2

The 180 th day following the February 1, 2022 decision was July 31, 2022. As appellant did not file an appeal with the Board until July 6, 2023, more than 180 days after the February 1, 2022 OWCP decision, the Board finds that the appeal docketed as No. 23-0970 is untimely filed. 1 5 U.S.C. § 8101 et seq.; 20 C.F.R. §§ 501.2(c) and 501.3(a).
2
20 C.F.R. § 501.3(e) provides in pertinent part: “Any notice of appeal must be filed within 180 days from the date of issuance of a decision of the OWCP.” The Board is without jurisdiction to review the appeal. Appellant has not explained her failure to timely file an appeal with supporting documentation sufficient to establish compelling circumstances. Because there is no final adverse decision issued by OWCP within 180 days of the filing of the instant appeal, the Board concludes that the appeal docketed as No. 2 3-0970, must be dismissed. 3 Accordingly,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT the appeal docketed as No. 23-0970 is dismissed.

Issued: September 7, 2023
Washington, DC

Patricia H. Fitzgerald, Deputy Chief Judge Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board

Valerie D. Evans-Harrell, Alternate Judge Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board

James D. McGinley, Alternate Judge
Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board

3
The Board’s decisions and orders are “final upon the expiration of 30 days from the date of their issuance.” Id. at § 501.6(d).

2