An Employer's First Report of Occupational Injury or Illness must be filed within:

• A. 3 days
• B. 10 days
• C. 5 days
• D. 7 days

Answer: (C)

In California, the timing of reporting a work-related injury or illness to the state workers’ compensation system is the key idea. An Employer’s First Report must be filed within five days after the employer knows or should know that an employee has sustained a work-related injury or illness that requires medical treatment beyond first aid or results in disability beyond the day of injury (or in the case of death). This five-day window ensures the claim is started promptly, medical care can be coordinated, and state regulators can monitor safety and benefits. The other timeframes don’t align with the regulatory requirement, which is five days.