Getting injured at work can be a devastating experience. Not only can it affect your ability to perform your duties; it can also
dramatically impact other areas of your life. This is why it’s important to know how to report an injury at work to the right people and at the right time, so that you can get back to your normal activities.
Here are some basic tips on reporting a work-related injury:
- Tell your employer about your injury right away or as soon as you need to seek medical treatment.
- If you have a serious injury, then you should tell your supervisor/employer and seek emergency treatment right away.
- When you report an injury at work, your employer will require you to fill out a DWC-1 claim form.
- You must report to your employer within 30 days of becoming injured at work, in most circumstances. This law exists throughout the state of California.
If you feel uncomfortable telling your supervisor/employer about getting hurt on the job, then you should speak with someone in the Human Resources department about how you can report an injury at work.
If you do not have an HR representative available, then you can also contact the Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) in San Diego. The LRIS will provide you with a referral to workers compensation lawyer who specializes in work-related injuries and claims. When you are referred to an LRIS attorney and you choose to contact them, they can offer you up to 30 minutes of consultation time at no charge.
Additional assistance for workers’ compensation issues can be found at local agencies, health care centers, and support groups.