Augment LeadsThis page is for workers' comp firms licensed in California. It covers how the California system is set up, what your intake team should screen for, and how our leads work. For what changes from state to state, see the workers' comp leads by state hub.
How workers' comp is run in California
California's system is overseen by the Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC), part of the Department of Industrial Relations. DWC's information for injured workers explains the claim process, and its how to file a claim page covers the claim form.
In California, the worker starts the claim with the employer, using the DWC 1 claim form. The employer completes its section and forwards the form to the insurance company. Medical care often runs through networks approved by DWC.
What to screen for in California
Reporting to the employer
DWC's injured worker page says that if a worker doesn't report the injury within 30 days, they could lose the right to receive workers' compensation benefits.
Filing the claim form
According to DWC's how to file a claim page, the employer must give or mail the worker a claim form within one working day after learning about the injury or illness. The worker completes the employee section and returns it to the employer, and DWC suggests certified mail if it's mailed. The insurance company generally has 14 days to send a letter with the status of the claim, and if the employer doesn't deny the claim within 90 days of the claim form being filed, the injury is presumed to be covered. DWC's injured worker page says that once a claim is filed, the employer must provide medical care.
Doctor rules
Many employers use a medical provider network (MPN), a network of providers approved by DWC to treat work injuries (DWC's MPN FAQ). A worker may instead be treated by a personal physician they predesignated before the injury, if the conditions in California Code of Regulations, title 8, section 9780.1 are met: written notice to the employer before the injury, health coverage for non-work injuries on the date of injury, and the physician's agreement before the injury.
General information, not legal advice; confirm current rules with the California Division of Workers' Compensation.
Screening questions for California intake
- When did the injury happen, and when did you report it to your employer?
- Did your employer give you a DWC 1 claim form, and did you return it? When?
- Have you received a letter from the insurance company about the claim, or a denial?
- Who is treating you, and is that doctor in your employer's medical provider network?
- Did you predesignate a personal physician in writing before the injury?
- Have you talked to another lawyer about this injury?
For call openings and follow-up, see our speed-to-lead intake scripts.
What every California workers' comp lead includes
The injured worker fills in our form themselves. Each lead includes:
- Whether they were injured while working
- Employment status
- Injury date
- State and ZIP code
- Whether the injury was reported to the employer
- Medical treatment so far
- Injury details, in their own words
- Whether they already have an attorney
- An SMS-verified phone number
- A TrustedForm certificate
Leads that don't match your filters aren't sent. The TrustedForm certificate records the form session and the consent to be contacted, and the SMS check confirms the phone number. Our TrustedForm and lead verification guide explains how to read both.
How it works for California firms
- Book a strategy call. Tell us you're licensed in California, plus any other states, your intake hours and where leads should go.
- Set your California screening and place a first paid order. We agree your filters with you, using questions like the ones above.
- We run workers' comp campaigns nationwide. A lead reaches you only when the worker was hurt in a state you've chosen and the lead passes your filters.
- Leads go to your CRM by webhook, LeadDocket, Litify or GoHighLevel, or by email or SMS alert. We can route leads by office or case type.
We don't publish lead volume or ad figures for any single state. On the call, we'll be straight with you about what your filters can support before your first paid order. The full service is on our workers' comp leads page.
About Augment Leads
Augment Leads was founded in 2022 and generates 10,000+ leads every month across workers' comp and motor vehicle accident campaigns. We sell exclusive leads, pay per lead, with no agency retainer and no minimum term. Every lead goes to one firm only, and unqualified leads are replaced under our written replacement policy, agreed before your first paid order.
Spanish-speaking MVA and workers' comp leads are also available.
Frequently asked questions
What are California workers' comp leads?
California workers' comp leads are inquiries from people hurt on the job in California who want to talk to a workers' comp attorney. At Augment Leads, the worker fills in the form themselves, the lead is screened against your filters, and it goes to one firm only.
How long does a California worker have to report an injury?
The Division of Workers' Compensation says that if a worker doesn't report the injury within 30 days, they could lose the right to receive workers' compensation benefits. Confirm current rules with the California Division of Workers' Compensation.
Who picks the doctor in a California workers' comp claim?
Many employers use a medical provider network approved by the Division of Workers' Compensation. A worker who properly predesignated a personal physician before the injury may be treated by that physician, if the conditions in title 8, section 9780.1 are met. Confirm current rules with the California Division of Workers' Compensation.
Can I get workers' comp leads only from California?
Yes. We generate leads nationwide, and you pick the states where your firm is licensed. If California is your only state, your leads come only from California. We don't promise a set number of leads for any state, and we'll talk through what your filters can support on the call.
How do I get started?
Book a strategy call. We go through your states, your California screening, your intake hours and your delivery setup. Then you place a first paid order, and leads start arriving once your campaigns are live.
Get California workers' comp leads
Tell us your states and how you screen California claims. We'll scope your first paid order on the call.