Questions & answers · Workers’ comp
My California workers' comp claim has not been accepted or denied yet. What happens?
Workers’ compSlow or stuckCaliforniaChecked Nov 5, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-05 · Source: California DIR · Division of Workers' Compensation · How to file a claim View original ↗
In short
- The insurance company usually sends a status letter in 14 days.
- If your employer does not deny the claim in 90 days, the injury is presumed covered.
- While it decides, you may get up to $10,000 of medical care.
What this means
After you file the claim form, California's Division of Workers' Compensation says the insurance company generally has 14 days to mail you a letter about the status of your claim. If you do not get the letter, call the insurance company [1]. If you filed a claim form and your employer does not deny the claim within 90 days, your injury is presumed to be covered [1]. Within one day of filing, your employer must authorize appropriate medical treatment, and while your employer decides, you may receive up to $10,000 in medical treatment [1].
Your next step
Count 14 days from the day you gave the claim form to your employer. If no letter comes, call the insurance company and write down who you spoke to. Deadline in the source: 14 days (status letter), 90 days (presumed covered).
Check it yourself
Your own claim form copy shows the date you filed. The source does not say what you can do if the 14 days pass with no letter beyond calling: "Don't know yet" - call the DWC Information Services Center, 1-800-736-7401.
Where this comes from (1)
[1] California DIR · Division of Workers' Compensation · How to file a claim · checked 2026-11-05
Generally, the insurance company has 14 days to mail you a letter telling you the status of your claim. If you don’t receive this letter, call the insurance company to find out the status of your claim. … If you have filed a claim form and if your employer doesn’t deny your claim within 90 days, your injury is presumed to be covered. … Within one day of filing a claim form, your employer must authorize appropriate me…
How we found this
We matched your question to 1 official source, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-05.
What we don’t know yet
Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.
Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.
Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.
This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.
Answer id CQ5022. Spotted an error? Tell us.