5 U.S.C. § 8124 — Findings and award; hearings

(a) The Secretary of Labor must determine and make a finding of facts, and issue an award for or against paying compensation under this subchapter. This happens after: (1) considering the claim the beneficiary submitted and the report from the immediate supervisor; and (2) completing whatever investigation the Secretary considers necessary. (b) (1) Before further review under section 8128(a), a claimant who is not satisfied with the Secretary's decision under subsection (a) is entitled to a hearing before a representative of the Secretary, if the claimant requests one within 30 days after the decision is issued. At the hearing, the claimant may present more evidence supporting their claim. Within 30 days after the hearing ends, the Secretary must notify the claimant, in writing, of any further decision, any changes made to the award, and the basis for that decision. (2) In running the hearing, the Secretary's representative is not bound by common-law or statutory rules of evidence, technical or formal procedural rules, or section 554 of this title, except as this subchapter provides. Instead, the representative may conduct the hearing in whatever way best determines the claimant's rights — receiving relevant evidence the claimant offers, plus any other evidence the representative decides is necessary or useful for evaluating the claim.