What is the actual deadline for a workers' comp claim?
Under California Labor Code Section 5405, you generally have one year from the date of injury to file a workers' compensation claim. For a sudden injury, like a fall or a lifting accident, that date is usually clear — it's the day it happened. But that same law also recognizes that not every injury announces itself right away, and that's where the "one year and it's dead" myth falls apart.
There's also a separate, shorter deadline: your employer must be notified of the injury within 30 days. But missing the 30-day notice doesn't automatically kill your claim either — it can affect how far back benefits are paid, but it's not always a full bar. The details matter, and they're easy to get wrong without someone reviewing your specific timeline.
*This article is general information about California workers' compensation, not legal advice about your situation. Every case is different.*
Yazdchi Law, P.C. — Eman Yazdchi, responsible attorney. Office: Palmdale, California. Attorney advertising.