Should You Report Your Work Injuries?

Dec 04,2017

If you are injured at work, do you need to report your injuries? The quick answer is yes: you should always report work injuries. Workplace injuries are covered by Workers’ Compensation laws. However, you will need to take action in a timely manner in order to receive compensation for your injuries.

How to Report Your Work Injuries

First, you need to give your employer written notice of your work-related injury within 30 days of the injury date. If the injury occurred over time as opposed to one specific incident, this rule is a bit more complex. You will need to report your injuries within 30 days of the date you realized the injury was work-related, or within 30 days of the date you suffer a temporary disability.

Additionally, you need to fill out a California workers’ compensation form, called the DWC-1 claim form. You should give this form to your employer, who can then file it with their workers’ compensation insurance company. You must file this form within one year from your date of injury. Of course, it is usually better to do it as soon as possible.

Failing to report your work injury within the 30 day limit might hinder your ability to receive workers’ comp benefits. If you have waited past this time frame, you should contact a California personal injury attorney to see if you can still file for benefits. You should also contact an experienced attorney if you have questions about your workers’ compensation claim, or if your claim has been denied and you would like to appeal the decision.

“If you are injured at work, it is best to be seen by a doctor right away and to report your injury to your employer as soon as possible,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.