Injured on the Job in Riverside? A Step-by-Step Guide to Your Workers’ Comp Claim
If you got hurt at work in Riverside, you're probably feeling overwhelmed. You're in pain, unsure what to do next, and the system feels stacked against you. The truth is, you're not alone. Thousands of workers in Riverside County deal with job injuries every year, especially in warehouses, construction, logistics, and manufacturing.
This guide walks you through what to do after a work injury in Riverside. From reporting the injury to getting medical treatment and filing a claim, we'll help you understand your rights and what to expect. And if things get complicated, we'll explain when it might be time to get a lawyer involved.
Step 1: Report the Injury to Your Employer
The first thing you need to do is tell your employer what happened. Under California law, you’re supposed to report a work injury within 30 days. That includes sudden injuries like a fall or accident, and it also covers injuries that develop over time, like back pain from years of heavy lifting or wrist pain from repetitive work.
Don’t wait. Reporting your injury late can give the insurance company an excuse to deny your claim.
Step 2: Fill Out the DWC-1 Claim Form
After you report the injury, your employer should give you a form called a DWC-1. This is how you officially start your workers’ comp claim. Fill it out and give it back to your employer right away. They should then send it to their insurance company.
If they don’t give you the form, or you’re not sure how to get one, you can download it yourself from the California Department of Industrial Relations website. Just search “DWC-1 form California.”
Step 3: Get Medical Treatment Through the Right Doctor
You’re entitled to medical care for your work injury, but it has to be with a doctor in the insurance company’s network. That’s called an MPN, or Medical Provider Network.
Your employer should give you a list of approved doctors or send you to an occupational clinic they use. If it’s an emergency, you can go to the nearest ER. But once you’re stable, the insurance company will want you to see one of their approved doctors.
Make sure you tell every doctor you see that this was a work-related injury. The medical records are a big part of your case, and if the doctor doesn’t link it to your job, you could lose benefits.
Step 4: Learn What You Might Be Entitled To
California workers’ compensation law provides several types of benefits. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Temporary disability is paid if your doctor says you can’t work for a period of time. It’s usually two-thirds of your wages, paid every two weeks.
Permanent disability is paid if you don’t make a full recovery and have some level of lasting impairment.
Medical treatment must be covered, including surgeries, physical therapy, medications, and mileage to appointments.
Supplemental job displacement vouchers are available if you can’t return to your old job and your employer doesn’t offer modified work.
A lot of people don’t realize they’re missing out on benefits. Insurance companies often delay care, deny parts of the claim, or send you to doctors who downplay the injury. That’s when legal help can make a real difference.
Step 5: What If Your Claim Is Denied or Delayed?
It happens more than it should. Even when you do everything right, the insurance company might still deny your claim. Maybe they say the injury didn’t happen at work, or the doctor they sent you to says you're fine. Other times, your benefits are delayed for months with no explanation.
In those situations, it’s time to take action.
You have the right to challenge a denied claim and request a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME). You can also file for a hearing at the Riverside Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. But these steps are hard to do on your own, especially if you’re already dealing with pain, bills, and lost wages.
We Help Injured Workers Across Riverside
At Lee Partners Law, we represent injured workers across Riverside County, including Jurupa Valley, Moreno Valley, Perris, Corona, and the surrounding areas. We know how local employers and insurance carriers operate. We’ve handled cases involving Amazon warehouses, construction contractors, delivery drivers, and countless other Riverside County workers.
Our team includes former insurance company attorneys. We’ve seen all the tricks they use to delay or deny claims. Now we use that knowledge to fight for workers.
When Should You Call a Lawyer?
If your claim was denied, if your benefits are delayed, or if you’re dealing with a serious injury that requires surgery or ongoing treatment, it’s time to talk to someone who knows how to protect your rights.
You don’t need to go through this alone. A workers’ compensation lawyer can step in, push the case forward, get you seen by the right doctors, and fight to get you everything you’re owed.
There’s no fee unless we win. You don’t pay anything out of pocket.
Call or Text Us Today - 3102950822
If you were injured at work in Riverside, we’re here to help. We’ll explain your options, review your case for free, and give you the straight truth about what to expect.
Call or text Lee Partners Law to speak with a real workers’ comp attorney who knows Riverside and knows how to fight the insurance companies. David A Lee and Michael Lee are certified specialists who know the system inside and out and how to maximize your benefits.
Don’t wait. Your benefits and your recovery could depend on it.
To learn more about timelines to file Work Comp Cases click here.