Injured at Work in the United States: Find the Right Workers’ Compensation Process

Workers’ compensation is different from an unpaid-wage complaint or unemployment benefits. Start with the official office for your state; California and Colorado show why forms and reporting deadlines cannot be treated as one national rule.

1. Find your state’s official office

The U.S. Department of Labor lists state and territorial workers’ compensation officials and links to their agencies. Use that directory to find the rules that apply where you work, rather than borrowing another state’s deadline or form. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/wc

2. California: report the injury and get the claim form

California’s Division of Workers’ Compensation says an employer must give or mail a claim form within one working day after learning of a work injury or illness. Complete only the employee section, sign and date it, return it promptly and keep a copy. If mailing it, the agency recommends certified mail with a return receipt. If the employer does not provide the form, the agency’s page explains where to download it or seek assistance. https://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/FileaClaim.htm

3. Colorado: written notice and a separate state claim

Colorado’s Division of Workers’ Compensation says to notify the employer in writing within 10 working days. If that time has passed, notify the employer in writing as soon as possible. It separately instructs workers to file a WC15 Worker’s Claim for Compensation with the Division within two years of the injury; forms must be completed in English. These are Colorado instructions, not nationwide deadlines. https://cdle.colorado.gov/dwc/injured-workers

4. Medical care and payment requests

Colorado says to get immediate treatment at the closest hospital in an emergency. For non-emergency care, it describes choosing from an employer-provided designated-provider list. The same agency warns that it and insurance carriers do not ask workers to pay money to release benefits or settlements. Verify suspicious requests through the official agency before sending money or personal information. https://cdle.colorado.gov/dwc/injured-workers

Official sources

• https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/wc
• https://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/FileaClaim.htm
• https://cdle.colorado.gov/dwc/injured-workers

Published on Mahjar Post on November 2, 2026. Sources: official U.S. government pages linked above.