Workers' compensation after a work injury

First moves

1. 1

   Get emergency care first when needed. Tell the medical provider that the injury or illness is work-related.

2. 2

   Report the injury to a supervisor or employer as soon as possible. For a condition that built up, report it when you learn or believe work caused it.

3. 3

   Write down the date, place, task, and affected body parts or illness. Add witnesses, symptoms, and how work caused or added to the problem.

4. 4

   Ask the employer for the Workers' Compensation Claim Form, DWC 1. The employer must generally give or mail it within one working day after learning of the injury or illness.

5. 5

   Complete only the employee section. Sign and date it, return it promptly, and keep a copy. If mailing it, use tracked delivery and save the receipt.

6. 6

   Treatment must be authorized within one working day after the employer receives the filed claim form. This applies while the claim is reviewed and is subject to the legal limit.

7. 7

   Save every clinic note, work restriction, mileage record, and bill. Keep each claim letter, delay, denial, acceptance, and payment notice too.

8. 8

   Use the local DWC Information and Assistance Unit when the employer will not provide the form or treatment stalls. It can also help with an unclear notice or denied claim.

Watch for

1. 1

   DWC warns that failing to report within 30 days can risk benefits when the delay prevents investigation. Report promptly rather than relying on the outside date.

2. 2

   A work injury can be one event or a condition that built up over time. Repetitive stress, exposure, and work-caused illness can fit the claim path.

3. 3

   Temporary and part-time workers may be eligible. Most workers do not need lawful immigration status for most workers' compensation benefits. The claim facts still control.

4. 4

   A DWC 1 form opens the workers' compensation case. A clinic visit or incident report alone is not the same filing step.

5. 5

   While the claim is being decided, the employer or administrator may direct nonemergency care through its medical provider network or other allowed path.

6. 6

   The employer must authorize appropriate treatment within one working day after a DWC 1 is filed. DWC states that up to $10,000 may be available while the claim is reviewed.

7. 7

   It is illegal for an employer to punish or fire a worker for having a job injury or requesting workers' compensation benefits in good faith.

8. 8

   Each denial, delay, medical-review request, benefit notice, or hearing paper has its own response path. Use DWC Information and Assistance or qualified legal help promptly.