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.
How long do you have to file a California workers' comp claim?
California sets several different deadlines, and missing the wrong one can end an otherwise valid claim. This calculator turns your injury date into a personalized timeline using the controlling statutes.
- Report to your employer — 30 days (Labor Code §5400). Reporting late doesn't automatically kill a claim, but it hands the insurer an argument and can delay benefits.
- File your claim — 1 year (Labor Code §5405). The clock runs from the latest of: your date of injury, your last temporary-disability payment, or the last medical treatment your employer provided. That's why ongoing treatment can extend the date.
- Cumulative trauma — special start date (Labor Code §5412). For build-up injuries (repetitive strain, hearing loss, illness), the one-year clock starts when disability and knowledge that it's work-related coincide — often later than the first symptoms.
- Reopen for new & further disability — 5 years (Labor Code §5410) from the date of injury, if your condition worsens.
Because these dates interact, don't assume a missed deadline is fatal — exceptions exist — but don't sit on your rights either. If your result shows amber or red, talk to an attorney right away.