What You Need to Know About California Workers’ Compensation Forms
Getting injured on the job can become stressful, and employees should understand their next steps. Here’s everything you need to know about California workers’ compensation forms.
While filling out the form may seem simple, an employee should also be aware of other circumstances surrounding their injury.
California Workers’ Compensation Forms
If hurt at work, employees should report their injury to the supervisor immediately, no matter how minor. There, an employee may request a DWC claim form. A supervisor must give or mail the employee the form within one day of learning their request or their injury.
The employee should keep a copy of the form as a receipt. Once submitted, the employer has 24 hours to return the completed form to the employee.
Filing a workers comp claim in California is a no-fault system, so an employee is not suing their company, but rather applying for benefits. The employer’s insurance has 90 days to accept or deny the claim. If the insurance company does not respond, the employee can consider the claim accepted.
Related: California Final Paycheck Laws: Explained
Types of Injuries
Injuries fall into two categories: specific and cumulative.
Cumulative injury examples include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Back, neck, shoulder, etc. pain or injuries
- Hypertension
- Respiratory or gastrointestinal illnesses
- Psychiatric issues
Circumstances Surrounding the Injury
While setting a date on the form for specific injuries can seem straightforward, employees should pinpoint the exact starting date for cumulative injury. Employees can cite the start of the filing period as when they first consulted or notified a physician about their injury, or knew their work was causing their injury.
Related: California Exempt Employee Laws: Explained
Contact Us
If you or a loved one would like to learn more about California Workers’ Compensation Forms, get your free consultation with one of our Employment Attorneys in California today!