DWC Forms
California Division of Workers' Compensation forms you may need during your claim. If you need help understanding or completing any form, call us at (818) 525-1700.
Filing a Claim
File this form to report a work injury or illness to your employer. Must be filed within 1 year of the injury date.
Medical Treatment
Used by treating physicians to request authorization for medical treatment from the claims administrator.
Benefits & Settlements
This voucher is issued when the employer cannot offer modified or alternative work and the worker has a permanent partial disability.
Appeals
File this form to request a hearing before a WCAB judge when the case is ready for trial or expedited hearing.
File this form to request an Independent Medical Review (IMR) when a utilization review decision denies or modifies medical treatment.
File this form to open a case at the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board when there is a dispute over benefits.
California DWC forms can feel overwhelming when you are already hurting and worried about your job, but each one has a simple, specific job to do. This guide walks you through the most important forms in plain language so you know exactly what to file, when to file it, and what happens next.
Frequently Asked Questions About California DWC Forms
What is the DWC-1 claim form and how do I file it?
The DWC-1 claim form is the document that officially starts your California workers' compensation claim. Once you complete the employee section and give it to your employer, your claim is legally opened.
Under California Labor Code Section 5401, your employer must give you a DWC-1 form within one working day of learning about your injury. You fill out the top portion describing your name, the date and place of the injury, and what body parts were hurt, then sign and date it and return it to your employer.
Your employer completes their portion and forwards the form to their insurance company, and you are entitled to a dated copy. That date matters, because it starts the clock on several important deadlines. If your employer does not hand you a form, you can download one yourself and file it directly, so a missing form should never stop you from protecting your rights.
What is the deadline to file a workers' compensation claim in California?
You generally have one year from the date of your injury to begin a workers' compensation claim in California, under Labor Code Section 5405.
For a sudden injury, the date is usually clear. For injuries that build up over time, like a back problem from years of repetitive lifting, the one-year period can start from the date you first knew, or should have known, that the condition was work-related.
That one-year window can also be extended in certain situations, such as when benefits have already been provided and later stop. The safest approach is simple: file your DWC-1 as soon as you can after an injury. Filing early preserves your rights and gives your claim the best possible footing.
What happens after I file the DWC-1 claim form?
Under California Labor Code Section 5402, the insurance company has 90 days after your DWC-1 is filed to accept or deny your claim. If they do not reject it within that 90-day period, your injury is presumed to be compensable.
This presumption is a powerful protection for you. Once the 90 days pass without a denial, the insurer can only fight the claim using evidence discovered after that window closes, which is a much harder standard for them to meet.
During those 90 days, the insurer investigates your claim, which may include reviewing medical records or asking you questions. This waiting period is normal and does not mean anything is wrong. It simply gives the insurer time to make a decision while the law keeps your case moving forward.
Can I get medical treatment while my claim is still being investigated?
Yes. Under California Labor Code Section 5402(c), your employer must authorize up to $10,000 in medical treatment while your claim is being investigated, even before it is formally accepted.
This treatment must begin within one working day of filing your DWC-1 and continue until the insurer accepts or denies your claim. In other words, you should not have to wait in pain for a decision before getting care for your injury.
If you are told you cannot see a doctor because your claim has not been approved yet, that is usually incorrect. The law is designed to get you care quickly, and knowing about this $10,000 protection can make a real difference in how soon you start healing.
What is the Application for Adjudication of Claim and how is it different from the DWC-1?
The Application for Adjudication of Claim (form DWC/WCAB 1) is the document that opens a formal case with the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, or WCAB. It is the step you take when there is a dispute that needs a judge to help resolve it.
This is different from the DWC-1 claim form. The DWC-1 opens your claim with your employer and their insurer. The Application for Adjudication opens a case with the state court system that oversees workers' compensation, giving you access to a workers' compensation judge.
You do not always need to file an Application right away. Many claims are accepted and handled without a dispute. But if your claim is denied, or if you and the insurer disagree about benefits or treatment, filing the Application is how you formally ask the WCAB to step in and protect your rights.
What are the most common California DWC forms and what is each one for?
The most common California DWC forms are the DWC-1 claim form, the Application for Adjudication of Claim, the Declaration of Readiness to Proceed, and several DWC-AD forms used for permanent disability and return-to-work issues.
The DWC-1 opens your claim, and the Application for Adjudication opens a formal case with the WCAB. The Declaration of Readiness to Proceed (such as form DWC-CA 10208.3) tells the court you are ready for a hearing. The Notice to Employees (DWC 7) is the workplace poster explaining your basic rights.
The DWC-AD forms handle later stages of a claim. These include the permanent disability questionnaire (DWC-AD 100), summary rating requests (DWC-AD 101 and 102), the Supplemental Job Displacement voucher (DWC-AD 10133.32), and the Physician's Return-to-Work and Voucher Report (DWC-AD 10133.36). You will not need all of these at once. Each simply comes into play at the stage of your claim where it applies.
What should I do if my claim is denied?
If your claim is denied, you have the right to challenge that decision by filing an Application for Adjudication of Claim with the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board. A denial is not the end of your case.
Insurers deny claims for many reasons, and some denials are based on incomplete information or a rushed investigation. Filing the Application moves your case in front of a workers' compensation judge who can review the evidence independently and decide whether you are entitled to benefits.
A denial can feel discouraging, especially when you are still recovering, but it is a normal part of the process for many workers. The important thing is to act promptly, because deadlines still apply. Getting guidance at this stage can help you gather the right medical evidence and present your case clearly.
Do I need a lawyer to file DWC forms?
You are not legally required to have a lawyer to file DWC forms, and you can file the DWC-1 claim form on your own to open your claim.
That said, the forms and deadlines become more complex once a dispute arises, such as when a claim is denied, when there is disagreement about how serious your injury is, or when permanent disability and return-to-work benefits are at stake. These situations often involve medical evaluations, evidence, and hearings where an experienced advocate can make a meaningful difference.
In California, workers' compensation attorneys are generally paid a fee set and approved by a judge, taken as a percentage of the benefits you recover, rather than an upfront cost. That means getting help usually will not require money out of your pocket while you are already dealing with an injury.
Where can I get the official California DWC forms?
You can get every official California DWC form for free from the Division of Workers' Compensation website at dir.ca.gov/dwc/forms.html.
The DWC-1 claim form is available there in several languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese, so you can complete it in the language you are most comfortable with. Your employer is also required to provide you a DWC-1 form after you report an injury.
Because these forms are official state documents, it is best to use the versions provided by the Division of Workers' Compensation rather than copies from unofficial sources. That way you can be confident you are filing the current, correct version and that your information goes to the right place.
What information do I need to complete my DWC forms?
To complete your DWC-1 claim form, you mainly need your personal details, the date and location of your injury, and a clear description of how you were hurt and which body parts were affected.
It helps to gather a few basics before you start: the name and address of your employer, the date you reported the injury, the names of any doctors you have seen, and notes about how the injury happened. Being specific about every body part that hurts is important, because it helps make sure all of your injuries are covered by the claim.
You do not need to have every detail perfect to file. It is far better to file on time with the information you have than to delay while you search for one missing piece. If you are unsure how to describe something, describe it in your own honest words, and you can always seek guidance to make sure nothing important is left out.