Law Offices of David Lowe | California Workers Compensation Lawyer

If you suffer an injury on the job in California, you have the right to make a workers’ compensation claim. However, you must make sure that you follow all the procedures in place to make your claim. If you fail to follow set procedures, you could end up with a denial. The first step in the process, according to the Department of Industrial Relations, is filing a DWC 1.

The DWC 1 is a form that your employer will give to you. You need to fill that out and give it back to your employer. Your employer has to give this form to you within one day of your injury, but if you do not receive it, you can get from the Department of Workers’ Compensation website. Do not let your employer not giving you the form act as an excuse for not completing it. You need this form to start the claims process.

Filling out and submitting the form will give you the right to medical treatment of up to $10,000 before you receive an approval. It will also protect you and grant you a presumption of a work injury if the DWC fails to make a decision on your claim within 90 days. It also allows your employer to begin an investigation into the incident and gives you proof to use during the claims process.

As soon as possible after your injury and after getting an emergency treatment, you need to get the DWC 1 form and complete it. Remember that without this form, you do not have a claim. This information is for education and is not legal advice.