- 1
Get medical care immediately
For emergencies, get treated first. Tell every provider it's a work injury so it's documented that way from day one.
- 2
Report it to your employer
Notify a supervisor in writing as soon as you can. California gives you 30 days, but sooner is always better — late reporting can jeopardize benefits.
Deadline: 30 days (LC 5400) - 3
Get and file the DWC-1 claim form
Your employer must give you the DWC-1 within one working day of learning about your injury. Fill out the employee section, list every body part, sign it, and return it.
Employer must provide within 1 working day - 4
Get treatment while the claim is pending
Even before your claim is accepted, the insurer must authorize up to $10,000 in treatment while they investigate. Don't wait in pain.
Up to $10,000 pre-authorization - 5
Watch for the claim decision
The insurer has up to 90 days to accept or deny. If they don't deny within 90 days, your claim is generally presumed accepted.
Decision within 90 days - 6
Track your disability checks
If you're off work more than 3 days, temporary disability (about two-thirds of your wages, tax-free; 2026 max $1,764.11/wk) should start. Check the math — underpayment is common.
- 7
Keep every record
Save medical records, the dates and miles of every appointment (mileage is reimbursable at 72.5¢/mile in 2026), pay stubs, and all letters.
- 8
Know your deadlines
You generally have 1 year to file your claim (LC 5405) and 5 years to reopen for new & further disability (LC 5410).
File within 1 year - 9
Know when to call a lawyer
A denied claim, disputed treatment, a permanent disability rating, or pressure to return to work too soon are all signs to get free legal help.
Estimate & general information only — not legal advice. Results are educational estimates based on the figures you enter and 2026 California rates. They do not account for every fact (medical reports, apportionment, disputes) and do not create an attorney-client relationship. For an accurate answer, speak with a licensed California workers' compensation attorney — we can connect you for free.
What to do after a work injury in California
The hours and days after a workplace injury matter more than most people realize. The right steps — in the right order, before the deadlines — protect both your health and every benefit you're entitled to. This guide walks you through all nine, with the California rules that apply at each stage.
The non-negotiables: get medical care and say it's work-related, report the injury to your employer within 30 days (Labor Code §5400), and complete the DWC-1 claim form your employer must give you within one working day. Filing the DWC-1 is what unlocks your protections — including up to $10,000 of treatment while the insurer investigates, and the rule that a claim not denied within 90 days is presumed accepted.
From there it's about tracking what you're owed: temporary-disability checks if you're off work more than three days, reimbursement for medical mileage, and a careful eye on deadlines — one year to file (LC 5405), five years to reopen (LC 5410). Keep copies of everything.
Finally, know the warning signs that you need help: a denial, a treatment dispute, a permanent-disability rating, or pressure to return to work too soon. At those moments a free consultation can be the difference between a fair outcome and a lost claim.