California

What you need to know for California…

California workers’ compensation claims are administered through the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC), a division of the California Department of Industrial Relations. If a workplace injury or illness occurs, both the employer and the injured worker have responsibilities to ensure the claim is reported and processed correctly.

For Employers

If an employee reports a workplace injury or illness, California law requires employers to take prompt action.

1. Ensure the employee receives medical care.

If the injury requires immediate attention, direct the employee to appropriate medical treatment.

2. Provide the DWC-1 claim form.
California law requires employers to provide the employee with a Workers’ Compensation Claim Form (DWC-1) within one working day of learning about the injury or illness.

3. Report the injury.
Employers must promptly report the injury to the Care West Claims team using the online claims reporting form. Click on the Submit A Claim button in the left menu to initiate the claim.

For Workers

If you are injured at work or develop a work-related illness, you should take the following steps.

1. Report the injury to your employer.
Notify your supervisor or employer as soon as possible after the injury occurs.

2. Contact Nurse Triage.
If medical care is needed, contact nurse triage promptly at (844)-326-2918 and inform the provider that the injury occurred at work.

3. File a Worker’s Claim for Compensation.
Workers must complete the employee section of the Workers’ Compensation Claim Form (DWC-1) and return it to their employer to formally initiate a claim.

California law requires the injury to be reported to your employer within 30 days of the incident, and a formal claim must be filed within one year of the date of injury. Reporting as soon as possible helps avoid delays in benefits.

4. Claim Review
After a claim is filed, the insurance carrier will review the claim and issue a determination regarding benefits and coverage.