California Workers' Comp Deadlines: 30-Day Report & 1-Year Claim

Report your injury to your employer within 30 days (Labor Code § 5400). Your employer must give you a DWC-1 claim form within one working day of learning of the injury (Labor Code § 5401). The statute of limitations to file a workers' comp claim is generally one year from the date of injury (Labor Code § 5405).

This is general information, not legal advice. Talk to a California attorney about your specific situation — deadlines turn on your facts and missing one can cost you your claim.

California workers’ comp has several deadlines. Missing one can bar your benefits, so act early.

Report your injury within 30 days

Tell your employer about your work injury within 30 days (Labor Code § 5400). Reporting promptly — in writing if you can — protects your right to benefits and starts the process.

Your employer must give you a DWC-1 form

Once your employer learns of the injury, it must give you a DWC-1 claim form within one working day (Labor Code § 5401). Filling out and returning that form is how you formally open your claim. If you don’t receive one, ask for it.

File your claim within one year

The statute of limitations to file a workers’ comp claim is generally one year from the date of injury (Labor Code § 5405). For injuries that develop over time, the clock can work differently, but you should never assume you have extra time — treat one year as the outer limit unless an attorney tells you otherwise.

What this means for you

Three clocks run at once: a 30-day report window, your employer’s one-working-day form duty, and the one-year filing deadline. The safest move is to report immediately and start your claim right away. See How Workers’ Comp Works and Benefits for the bigger picture. To get matched with a local California workers’-comp attorney, connect with a lawyer.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to report a work injury in California?

Report your injury to your employer within 30 days of the injury (Labor Code § 5400). Reporting promptly protects your claim.

What is the deadline to file a California workers' comp claim?

The statute of limitations to file a workers' comp claim is generally one year from the date of injury (Labor Code § 5405).

Does my employer have to give me a claim form?

Yes. Your employer must give you a DWC-1 claim form within one working day of learning of the injury (Labor Code § 5401).

Related guides

California Workers' Comp Benefits California workers' comp provides medical treatment, temporary disability (wage replacement while you recover — generally two-thirds of your average weekly earnings, subject to statutory minimum and maximum weekly amounts) (Labor Code § 4653), permanent disability benefits, a supplemental job-displacement (retraining) voucher, and death benefits for dependents.

California Workers' Comp Coverage Requirements California requires every employer, with limited exceptions, to carry workers' compensation insurance or be approved to self-insure — Labor Code § 3700 — even with a single employee. Failing to carry coverage is a crime and exposes the employer to penalties and direct liability.

How California Workers' Compensation Works California workers' compensation (Labor Code § 3200 et seq.) is a no-fault system: covered employees get medical care and wage-loss benefits for work injuries regardless of fault. In exchange, workers' comp is the sole and exclusive remedy against the employer for a covered injury (Labor Code § 3602), with narrow exceptions. The system is overseen by the Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC).

California Workers' Comp Claim Deadlines