Filing a Workers' Comp Claim in Hawaii

Report the date, time and circumstances of the injury to your immediate supervisor or employer immediately, either orally or in writing. The employer must report the injury to the Disability Compensation Division within seven working days if it causes absence of a day or more or needs more than ordinary first aid.

Report the injury to your employer. The employer files an Employer's Report of Industrial Injury (WC-1). If the employer fails to file the report or denies the claim, file an Employee's Claim for Workers' Compensation Benefits (Form WC-5) with the nearest Disability Compensation Division office. Employers must give injured employees the 'Highlights of the Hawaii Workers' Compensation Law' brochure within three working days of notice of injury.

Issues that cannot be resolved by agreement go to a hearing before the Disability Compensation Division (request it with Form WC-77, Application for Hearing), which issues a decision. A party who disagrees must file a written appeal with the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board, or at the nearest Division office, within 20 days of the mailing of the decision; a postmark by the deadline is not enough.

In Hawaii, report a work injury immediately (orally or in writing) to your supervisor or employer. If the injury causes at least one day of lost work or needs more than ordinary first aid, the employer must report it to the Disability Compensation Division (DCD) on Form WC-1 (Employer's Report of Industrial Injury/Illness) and give you a copy. If the employer denies the claim or does not file it, you may file Form WC-5, Employee's Claim for Workers' Compensation Benefits, with DCD. Appeals of DCD decisions must be filed in writing within 20 days of the mailing of the decision. DCD: (808) 586-9151; claim status (Oahu Facilitator's Unit) (808) 586-9161.