In California, employees who get injured or sick during their work shifts can file a workers’ comp (WC) claim at the expense of their employers. This no-fault insurance helps provide them with financial support for their medical bills and wage loss while they are in active recovery.
To help ensure that employees like you can safeguard your rights to WC benefits, you must learn about the legal processes involved and file your claim within the appropriate timeline.
Do I need to report my injury or illness to my employer?
The short answer is yes; you need to inform your employer about your workplace accident as soon as possible. Doing this promptly helps minimize the delays in your claims process.
After being involved in a workplace accident, you will have a 30-day deadline to provide your employer with a written report of your injury or illness.
What is the statute of limitations for filing a California WC claim?
You have one year from the date of your injury or illness to file your California WC claim, with some exceptions.
For example, if your injury developed over time due to cumulative trauma like repetitive strain injuries or occupational diseases, your statute of limitations will only begin from:
- The date you first discovered your health condition as work-related, or
- The date your doctor diagnosed your health condition as work-related
However, if you are a federal employee, your statute of limitations will follow federal laws. In this case, you will have three years from the date of your injury or illness to file your WC claim.
Your health should always come first
By gaining a better overview of the state’s workers’ comp claim policies and legal procedures, you can file your WC claim with confidence and recover at home without feeling burdened by your hospital bills and other medical-related expenses.