Workers' Comp in California
Everything you need to know about filing a workers' compensation claim in California (CA).
Ready to File Your Claim?
Answer guided questions and get your complete document package — claim summary, employer letter, medical records request, and more.
Start Your Claim — FreeKey Form
DWC-1
Filing Deadline
365 days
Submit To
California Division of Workers' Compensation
Filing Deadlines
Report to employer30 days
You must report your injury to your employer within 30 days.
File claim365 days
You have 1 year from the date of injury to file a claim.
Appeal denialSee details
You can request a hearing before a Workers' Compensation Judge within 5 years of the injury date.
Required Forms
DWC-1— Workers' Compensation Claim Form
Download ↗Key Rules in California
- California requires all employers to carry workers' compensation insurance.
- Your employer cannot fire or punish you for filing a workers' comp claim.
- You have the right to see a doctor and to change doctors after 30 days.
- If your employer does not give you a DWC-1 form, you can download it from the DWC website.
Where to File
Your employer is required to give you a DWC-1 form within one working day of reporting your injury. The employer forwards the claim to their insurer.
California Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) Official Website ↗