Prepare for your conversation
California Workers' Comp Consultation Checklist
Gather the claim papers, medical work restrictions, pay records, and insurance letters you already have. Write down what happened and the question you most need answered. If records are missing or a deadline is approaching, contact a lawyer or the DWC Information and Assistance Unit instead of waiting for a perfect file.
Ver esta lista en españolWhat should I gather before the consultation?
Start with copies you can find easily. These are preparation suggestions, not a list of documents you must have to ask for help. Check items as you gather them, or use your browser's Print menu to keep a paper copy. This page does not save your checklist or accept document uploads.
Claim and insurance information
The claim number and contact details help identify the file and the people already involved.
A short account of the injury
An honest timeline is more useful than trying to remember every detail during the call. Mark uncertain dates as estimates.
Treatment and work restrictions
Medical reports and work-status notes help explain what care you received and what your doctor said about working.
Pay, missed work, and benefit notices
These records help you explain the difference between your usual earnings, the work you missed, and payments you received.
Dispute letters and upcoming dates
The wording and date of a letter matter. Keep the whole document and its envelope rather than relying on a summary.
Your questions and communication needs
Choose the issue affecting you most now, such as access to treatment, lost income, work restrictions, or a denial.
How can I explain what happened clearly?
Use the headings below for your own notes. Separate what you know from what you are unsure about, and bring the underlying documents when available.
| When | What happened | Record to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Injury or first symptoms | Describe the work task and how symptoms began. | Your notes, existing photographs, or a witness name. |
| Report to the employer | Note who you told and how you reported it. | An email, message, incident report, or DWC-1 copy. |
| Care and time away from work | List treatment visits and changes in work status. | Visit summaries, work notes, schedules, and pay records. |
| Most recent development | Explain the letter, missed payment, or decision that led you to seek help. | The complete notice, its envelope, and any response date. |
What questions can I ask?
- What is the most urgent issue or deadline in my situation?
- Which missing records would help, and how should I obtain or send them?
- What does the letter or medical report I received mean for my next step?
- How would communication, attorney fees, and any costs work if the firm agrees to represent me?
- Who will handle follow-up, and what should I do if another letter arrives?
What if I do not have the paperwork?
Make a short list of what is missing and who may have it. The DWC advises workers to keep a copy of their claim form and request the completed employer copy if they do not receive it. You can explain your situation and ask what to gather next; do not delay urgent care or a time-sensitive request for help while searching for records. DWC: Filing a claim and keeping your claim-form copies.
Keep originals and use copies for preparation. Ask the firm how to send sensitive records securely. Do not put medical records, Social Security numbers, or other sensitive documents into a general website message. This checklist is general information and does not calculate a filing deadline or predict an outcome.
Official sources and more help
Our checklist organizes a first conversation. The sources below explain claim paperwork and the types of records kept in a claim file; they do not make this checklist a legal filing requirement.