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How Do I File a Workers Comp Claim?

Filing a workers comp claim correctly and quickly protects both you and your injured worker — here’s the exact process to follow.

• ✓Report the injury to your carrier as soon as possible — same day if possible
• ✓File a First Report of Injury with your state workers comp board
• ✓Keep records of everything: incident report, medical treatment, adjuster communications
• ✓Cooperate with the adjuster while documenting your own position

Or call (234) 231-8427 — Mon–Fri, 9 AM–5 PM EST

Step-by-Step: Filing a Workers Comp Claim

Step 1: Ensure the injured worker receives appropriate medical care. Emergency situations: call 911. Non-emergency: direct them to your carrier’s designated occupational medicine clinic or approved provider. Don’t let them treat with their personal doctor if your state requires carrier-directed care.

Step 2: Document the incident. Complete an internal incident report with: worker’s name and contact info, date/time/location of injury, description of what happened, names of witnesses, and what the worker was doing at the time. Take photos if relevant and safe to do so.

Step 3: Report the claim to your carrier. Most carriers have a 24-hour claims hotline. Have the incident report, the worker’s information, and basic policy information ready. The carrier will create a claim number and assign an adjuster.

Step 4: Complete the state’s Employer First Report of Injury form and submit it to the state workers comp board within the required timeframe — usually 5-10 days from the date of injury, varying by state. Many states have online portals for this filing.

After the Claim Is Filed

The carrier’s adjuster takes over management of the claim. Your role becomes supporting the adjuster’s investigation, maintaining communication with the injured worker, and creating return-to-work opportunities as the worker recovers.

Stay in regular contact with the injured worker — calls showing you care about their recovery reduce the likelihood of disputes and attorney involvement. Injured workers who feel abandoned or ignored are more likely to retain counsel, which escalates claim costs significantly.

Keep copies of everything: the incident report, all medical correspondence, adjuster notes, return-to-work offers, and any settlements. If the claim affects your EMR and you later find an error in the EMR worksheet, these records are your evidence.

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• Workers Comp Claims Process
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• How Long Does a Workers Comp Claim Stay on My Record?
• Does Workers Comp Pay Lost Wages?

The Right Policy Makes Claims Easier for Everyone

Carriers differ significantly in claims service quality. We match you with carriers known for fast, fair claims handling — so an injury doesn’t turn into a nightmare.