When you are injured on the job in California, your employer is required by state law to cover treatment of your injuries via Workers’ Compensation benefits. These benefits can be completely denied if you do not file a Workers’ Compensation claim fast enough. As a general rule of thumb, I recommend that my clients notify their supervisors immediately when an accident occurs or when they are hurt in the workplace. Workers’ Compensation injuries can involve single accidents, such as a fall, or injuries from repetitive work tasks, like back injuries caused by constant heavy lifting.
Notifying Your Employer Immediately of Your Injuries
When you experience pain, ask your manager how you go about reporting an injury. If you don’t notify your employer within 30 days after your injury occurred, you might lose your right to medical care assistance and payments!
How Long Do You Have to File Your Claim?
In order to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits, you must file a claim with the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC). Upon learning of your injury, your employer is required by California law to give you a DWC claim form within one day. But once you have that claim form, how long do you have to file it?