These five steps protect your rights — and your future. We'll walk you through each one.
Need help right now? Call (415) 495-7800
¿Lesionado en el trabajo? Lea esto en español →The Five Rules of On-the-Job Injuries
If you've been hurt at work, the next 24 hours matter. These five steps protect your right to workers' compensation benefits, medical treatment, and — if someone other than your employer caused your injury — a separate personal injury claim that could significantly increase your recovery.
Tell your supervisor what happened, where, and when — even if you think the injury is minor. Many injuries get worse over time, and if you haven't reported the incident, it becomes much harder to file a claim later. Verbal notice counts, but written is better.
This is the form that officially opens your workers' comp claim. Your employer is required by law to give you this form within one business day of learning about your injury. If they don't, ask for it — or download it below. Filing the DWC-1 is what triggers your right to benefits.
Get medical attention as soon as possible — ideally the same day. This creates a medical record connecting your injury to the workplace incident, which is critical evidence. If your employer has a Medical Provider Network (MPN), you may need to see a doctor within that network initially.
Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly and ask for a recorded statement. You are not required to give one, and doing so before you've spoken with an attorney can seriously hurt your case. Be polite, but say you'd like to speak with a lawyer first.
Take photos of the incident scene, your injuries, any equipment involved, and the conditions that contributed to the accident. Get contact information for any witnesses. Save all medical records, receipts, and correspondence. Physical evidence disappears fast — preserve it while you can.
Download
The DWC-1 is the form that officially opens your workers' compensation claim. Your employer is required to give you one — but if they haven't, you can download it here and file it yourself.
Download DWC-1 Form (PDF)Also available at www.dir.ca.gov
Your Rights
California's workers' compensation system provides benefits to employees injured on the job. You don't need to prove your employer was at fault — if the injury happened at work, you're generally entitled to the following:
Temporary disability payments
Partial wage replacement while you recover
Permanent disability payments
If your injury causes lasting limitations
Medical treatment costs
Doctors, surgery, physical therapy, prescriptions
Mileage reimbursement
For medical appointments and treatment
Workers' compensation provides limited benefits. But if someone other than your employer caused or contributed to your injury — a general contractor, a property owner, an equipment manufacturer — your recovery may be significantly greater through a separate personal injury claim. That's where having an attorney makes the biggest difference.
When to Call
Having a lawyer can mean the difference between limited workers' comp benefits and a full recovery. A lawyer can help you navigate the system and determine whether you could also pursue a civil case in court — which is where recoveries increase significantly. Consider calling if any of the following apply:
Consultations are always free. There are no fees unless we win your case.
Talk to Us
When you call, you'll speak with a real person — not a call center. We'll listen to your situation, explain your options, and if we can help, we'll get started right away.
(415) 495-7800515 Folsom St., 3rd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
info@arnslaw.com
Labor Code § 5432 requires the following notice: Making a false or fraudulent workers' compensation claim is a felony subject to up to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to $50,000 or double the value of the fraud, whichever is greater, or by both imprisonment and fine.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. No attorney-client relationship is formed by visiting this website or contacting Arns Davis Law.