The first month sets up everything that follows. This is a general checklist of the steps most California injured workers take early in a claim, and the records worth keeping from day one. It is not legal advice, and every claim is different — use it to get organized, not as a ruling on your case.
1 · Report the injury to your employer
Tell your employer as soon as you can. In California, reporting your injury within 30 days helps protect your right to benefits. Report it even if it seems minor — some injuries build up over time.
Write down the date you reported it and who you told. That small detail can matter later.
2 · Get the DWC-1 claim form and file it
Once your employer knows about a work injury, they generally must give you a DWC-1 claim form within one working day. Fill out the “employee” section, describe the injury, sign and date it, and return it to your employer.
Keep a copy of the completed form and note the date you handed it back. Filing the DWC-1 is what formally opens your claim.
3 · Get medical care
Get treatment for your injury. If your employer has a Medical Provider Network (MPN), your care will usually be within that network unless you validly predesignated your own doctor before the injury.
While the claim is being investigated, up to $10,000 in medical treatment is generally authorized — so appropriate care can begin before the claim is formally accepted.
4 · Watch for the claim decision
After you file the DWC-1, the claims administrator generally has 90 days to accept or deny the claim. If no decision is made in that window, the injury may be presumed covered (that can be challenged).
You should receive written notices about your claim and benefits along the way. Keep every one.
From day one, keep these in one place:
- The date you reported the injury and who you told
- Your completed DWC-1 and the date you returned it
- Every benefit notice or letter from the claims administrator
- The name and date for each medical visit
- Any work restrictions or off-work notes from your doctor
Primary sources
Official California resources — go to these for the authoritative details:
Keep it all in one place.
WorkAid gives you a private, living claim file to track payments, dates, documents, treatment, and communication — all in one place, under your control.
This guide is general information about the California workers' compensation process, not legal or medical advice. Individual claims vary. WorkAid is not a law firm, is not a medical provider, and does not represent you. For decisions about your claim, rely on your own official notices and, where needed, a qualified professional.