JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers | October 16, 2025 | Workers' Compensation
Workplace injuries can happen anywhere in Tarzana, from restaurant kitchens on Ventura Blvd to construction sites along the 101 corridor. What you do in the first days after you’re hurt can make a huge difference in your physical recovery and your ability to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
Here are the five most common missteps California workers make and how to avoid them.
1. Waiting to Report the Injury (or Never Filing the DWC-1 Form)
California gives you only 30 days to notify your employer about a work injury. If you wait longer, you can lose your right to workers’ comp benefits. Report the incident to a supervisor immediately, even if you think you’ll “shake it off”.
Your employer must then give you a Workers’ Compensation Claim Form (DWC-1) within one working day of learning about the injury. Fill out your part and return it so there’s a paper trail and your benefits can begin. Do this as soon as possible to protect your rights and begin the workers’ comp process.
2. Delaying Medical Care or Seeing the Wrong Doctor
Get treatment as soon as possible. For emergencies, go to the nearest ER or urgent care. For non-emergencies in California, the physician you see depends on your employer.
Many employers use a Medical Provider Network (MPN), a state-approved list of doctors for work-related injuries. After the initial medical evaluation, you generally have the right to choose a physician within the MPN. You can change physicians at least once if needed.
Following the specific rules about providers helps ensure bills are paid and reduces disputes about your care. Always follow the doctor’s restrictions, such as modified duty; ignoring them can hurt your health and your claim.
3. Providing Inaccurate or Incomplete Information About Your Injury or Accident
Be careful when filling out your claim form and other required forms. Make sure any information you provide is accurate and complete, required fields are filled out, and forms are completed correctly.
Be careful about inconsistencies in the description of the accident to give to your employer, physician, and others. Even minor or unintentional inconsistencies can cause delays or a denial of your claim.
A common mistake is failing to report previous injuries. You may worry that a pre-existing condition may complicate your claim or believe that it’s not relevant, but failing to disclose previous injuries can damage your claim. The insurer may claim your injury is primarily due to a pre-existing condition or that your injury is not even work-related. Failing to disclose pre-existing conditions may even be considered fraud.
4. Overlooking Third-Party Claims Outside Workers’ Comp
Workers’ compensation is usually your exclusive remedy against your employer, but it’s not always your only path to recovery. If someone outside your employer’s control contributed to your injury, you may have a third-party claim in addition to workers’ compensation.
Common examples include:
- A truck crash while you’re driving for work caused by a negligent motorist
- A subcontractor’s unsafe practices at a mixed-trade job site
- Defective equipment used at a warehouse or studio
- A client’s dangerous premises that caused you to fall
These claims can cover damages that workers’ compensation doesn’t. You may be entitled to non-economic damages for your physical pain, anguish, and reduced quality of life.
You may pursue economic damages for financial losses like out-of-pocket costs and lost earnings workers’ comp doesn’t cover. In cases involving egregious behavior, you may even recover punitive damages, although they are rare.
Contact JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
After a job injury in Tarzana, every step you take matters—from promptly reporting the incident to choosing the right doctor and meeting all required deadlines. Small mistakes, like missing a filing date or giving incomplete information, can cost you valuable benefits and make recovery more stressful than it needs to be.
If you’re unsure about your next move or believe a third party may be responsible for your injury, don’t try to navigate California’s complex workers’ compensation system alone. The experienced attorneys at JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers can guide you through the claims process, ensure your rights are protected, and help you explore every possible avenue for compensation.
Please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation today at (833) 852-3600.
Our main office is in Encino, CA, but we serve all through Los Angeles County.
JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers
16633 Ventura Blvd suite 1011,
Encino, CA 91436
