California’s claim process starts fast — the DWC-1 claim form must reach the employee within one working day. Here are the official links and the sequence.

Official California resources

• CA Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) — the state agency
• Verify an employer’s coverage — California’s official coverage inquiry
• Official DWC forms — the complete forms library
• WCIRB — California’s rating bureau (classifications, X-Mods)

Key employer forms

California’s central document is the DWC-1 Claim Form & Notice of Potential Eligibility: the employer must give or mail it to the employee within one working day of learning of the injury, and after the employee returns it, complete the employer section and forward it to the claims administrator within one working day. Employers also post the Notice to Employees poster and give new hires the Time-of-Hire pamphlet.

What to do when an employee is injured

1. Provide emergency medical care immediately — and authorize up to $10,000 in treatment while the claim is investigated
2. Give or mail the DWC-1 claim form to the employee within one working day of notice
3. Forward the completed DWC-1 to your claims administrator within one working day of receiving it back
4. The administrator must notify claim status within 14 days — a claim not denied within 90 days is presumed compensable
5. Document everything; California’s process is deadline-driven at every step

Deadlines that matter

Employees should report injuries within 30 days to protect benefits; the employer’s DWC-1 duties run in one working day increments; and a claim not denied within 90 days of filing is presumed compensable. Cumulative-injury claims run one year from when the employee knew the injury was work-related.

For rate context, see California workers’ comp rates, or start with our full California coverage guide. Need proof of coverage for a contract? We issue same-day certificates.

California forms FAQs

What is the DWC-1 form?

California’s workers’ compensation claim form and notice of potential eligibility. Employers must provide it to an injured employee within one working day of learning of the injury, and forward the completed form to the claims administrator within one working day of receiving it.

How do I verify a California employer’s workers’ comp coverage?

Use caworkcompcoverage.com — California’s official coverage inquiry site, searchable by employer name.

What happens if a California claim isn’t denied within 90 days?

It’s presumed compensable — one of several deadline teeth in California’s process, and a reason employers should engage their carrier the same day an injury is reported.