When an employee reports an injury, what should the employer do?

• A. File a report with the WCAB
• B. Ignore and wait for further instructions
• C. Schedule an internal meeting to review the claim
• D. Notify only the employee’s supervisor

Answer: (A)

Prompt reporting to the workers’ compensation system is essential whenever an injury is reported. The employer should file a report with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board to officially open the claim, begin medical treatment, and arrange benefits for the employee. This formal step triggers the processing of the claim and helps ensure compliance with state law. Simply ignoring the incident, holding an internal meeting, or notifying only the supervisor does not establish the official claim records or ensure timely access to treatment and benefits, and can expose the employer to penalties. So the best action is to file the report with the WCAB.