Documents Needed For a California Workers’ Comp Claim

You were hurt at work and need to seek medical care. You may be unsure what type of documents you need for a California workers’ comp claim or what the process is. In most situations, the process is straightforward with just a few steps for you to take.

As always, speak with a California workers’ compensation lawyer about your case.

Documents Needed to File a California Workers’ Comp Claim

To find a workers’ compensation claim in California, you must file a claim form. You can obtain a claim form from your employer. They have just one working day after learning of your injuries or illness to provide that form to you.

In situations where, for any reason, the employer fails to provide that form, you can obtain it from the State of California Department of Industrial Relations website. This form will outline the specific information workers’ compensation needs to process your claim.

Complete the Claim Form

When you have the claim form, you will need to complete the section labeled “employee.” This is the only portion to fill out. You must then send the form to your employer immediately after signing and dating the form. Keep a copy of it for your records. You can then return the form to your employer in person or by mail (if mailing, use certified mail to do so).

Your employer will then fill out their section of the form and submit the form to the insurance company. You will receive a copy of the completed form from your employer as well. If you do not, request a copy.

The insurance company then has 14 days to mail you a letter stating the status of your claim.

What Other Documentation Do You Need?

The insurance company may request additional information from you about the accident and the injuries you sustained. You will need to provide them with information about the medical provider you sought care from, as well as any evidence that you have showing your injuries.

You may have to supply information such as the following, though it may not be required to do so:

• Medical records that indicate your injuries and medical tests completed that document those injuries
• Wage information, including what you earn and how long you have been employed
• Incident reports that document what happened at the time of the incident, which come from your employer
• Witness statements, if applicable, may help to demonstrate what happened and provide reassurance that your injuries were both work-related and not your fault
• Photos or videos, if applicable, of what happened to cause your injuries and any data from the incident, such as dash camera footage or accident scene images

If you are unsure of any of these documents or required details, speak to an attorney who will clarify your rights. Do the same thing if your employer refuses to provide you with the necessary form or if you get pushback from the insurance company about the type of compensation owed to you.

Seeking Legal Guidance Becomes Critical

When you are facing serious injuries and losses due to a work-related accident, you should not struggle to file a compensation claim.

If you do, set up a free consultation with a workers’ compensation attorney who will ensure you know what your rights are and that you receive fair treatment as required under the law.