California workers' comp, explained in plain English
Hurt on the job in California? You're generally entitled to medical care paid by your employer's insurer, two-thirds of your lost wages while you can't work, and more if you don't fully recover. Report the injury to your employer within 30 days, file a DWC-1 claim form, and keep the one-year deadline in mind if benefits are denied.
I just got hurt at work
Report it in writing within 30 days, get the DWC-1 claim form, and get care. Here's exactly what to do.
My claim was denied
A denial isn't final. Read the reason, start the QME process and protect the one-year deadline.
What benefits will I get?
Medical care, disability pay (up to $1,764.11 a week for 2026 injuries), retraining and more.
Do I need a lawyer?
When an attorney helps most, and how fees work: set by a judge, paid from your award, no upfront cost.
Find attorneys by county
Public State Bar records for 6,017 attorneys who list workers' comp, with specialists marked.
Calculators
Weekly disability pay, mileage reimbursement and a deadline checker, with the math shown.
The basics in 60 seconds
- Report it. Tell your supervisor in writing as soon as possible, and within 30 days (Labor Code §5400).
- File the claim form. Your employer must give you a DWC-1 within one working day. Return the employee section; keep a copy (walkthrough).
- Get treatment. Up to $10,000 of care must be authorized while the claim is reviewed. The insurer has 90 days to accept or deny.
- Get paid while you're off. Temporary disability is 2/3 of your average weekly wage, $264.61 to $1,764.11 a week for 2026 injuries (estimate yours).
- Know your deadlines. If benefits are denied, you generally have one year to file with the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (deadline checker).
Popular guides
- How temporary disability pay is calculated in California
- California workers' comp deadlines
- How to file a workers' comp claim in California
- QME, AME and the panel QME process
- Retaliation for filing a claim (Labor Code §132a)
- Compromise and Release vs. Stipulated Award
- Medical provider networks (MPNs) and choosing your doctor
- Stress, anxiety and PTSD: psychiatric injury claims
Attorney directories by county
- Los Angeles County
- Orange County
- Sacramento County
- San Diego County
- Alameda County
- Ventura County
- San Francisco (City and County)
- Riverside County
- San Bernardino County
- Fresno County
- Placer County
- Santa Clara County
How this site works
CalCompGuide is a free guide to California workers' compensation, written by our editorial team from the Labor Code, DWC regulations and official DWC guides, with sources on every page. It's also attorney advertising: if you send a case review request, we'll match you with a participating California workers' comp attorney when one covers your county. We're not a law firm or a lawyer referral service, and we don't give legal advice. More about us.
Free help is also available from the state: the DWC Information & Assistance unit, 1-800-736-7401.
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Your reference is {REF}. We'll match you with a participating California workers' comp attorney when one covers your county. We can't promise a call, and nothing here is legal advice. If a deadline is close, contact the DWC Information & Assistance unit (1-800-736-7401) or an attorney directly.
If you gave an email, we'll send a copy of your request and reference number.
What happens next
- We review your request.
- When a participating California workers' comp attorney covers your county, your request is sent only to that attorney.
- The attorney may contact you by the method you chose.
- You are never obligated to hire anyone, and an attorney may decide not to take a case. In California workers' comp, attorney fees are set by a judge and paid out of what you recover.
- You can ask us to delete your request any time through the privacy request page.
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While you wait
- If you haven't yet, report the injury to your employer in writing (you have 30 days, Labor Code §5400).
- Ask your employer for the DWC-1 claim form and return the employee section. How to fill it out.
- Keep a simple pain, medical and mileage log: appointments, symptoms, miles driven (mileage is reimbursed).
- Save your pay stubs, especially overtime and second-job pay; they set your disability rate.
- Don't sign a settlement (Compromise and Release) without understanding it. What a C&R gives up.
- For free help from the state, call the DWC Information & Assistance unit: 1-800-736-7401.
Helpful next reads
- California workers' comp deadlines
- How to file a claim
- What to do if your claim is denied
- Estimate your weekly disability pay
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