I just got injured on the job. What is the process of applying for workers compensation? I live in California.

A great source of information for an injured worker in California who is or will be applying for workers’ compensation benefits is the Division of Workers Compensation (DWC), a division of the California Department of Industrial Relations.  You can find very helpful information on the DWC website specifically geared toward the injured worker.

The DWC suggests several steps an injured worker should take as soon as they are injured on the job.   First, an injured worker should report the injury to his or her employer as soon as possible as the worker has only 30 days from the date of injury or illness to give his or her employer notice before losing rights to receive workers' compensation benefits for that particular injury or illness.  The injured worker should seek good medical care from a doctor who understands his or her particular type of injury or illness and inform the doctor that the injury or illness is job-related.  An injured worker should also fill out a Workers Compensation Claim Form (DWC 1) correctly to avoid future problems processing the claim and give it to his or her employer.  The employer should provide the injured worker with the form one business day after learning of the injured worker’s injury or illness.  If an injured worker does not receive a form, he or she can download the claim form from the DWC website.  Once again, visit the DWC at to get more detailed information on how to begin the application process for workers’ compensation benefits.