The declaration of readiness to proceed is the California form you use to ask a judge to hear your workers’ comp case. Either party can file it, but it is usually the injured worker or the worker’s attorney. The official form number is DWC-CA 10250.1. Filing it tells the judge that a dispute is ready to be heard. If your claim is stuck and talks with the insurer have stalled, this form is often the next step.
What the Declaration Of Readiness To Proceed Is For
Most California claims never go before a judge. However, disputes do happen. The insurer may deny treatment or delay payments. It may also disagree with your permanent disability rating. When talks break down, a judge can settle the question. The declaration of readiness to proceed is how you get your case on the hearing calendar.
The California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) handles the form for the appeals board. On the form, you choose the kind of hearing you want. For example, you might ask for a mandatory settlement conference, a status conference, or a rating conference. In most cases, you must already have an open case with a case number before you can file. To learn how the agencies fit together, see our page on the California workers comp board.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Form number | DWC-CA 10250.1 |
| Form title | Declaration of Readiness to Proceed (DOR) |
| Who files | Either party (usually the worker or attorney) to request a hearing before a workers’ compensation judge |
| Where filed | California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC). Attorneys and claims administrators usually e-file. Unrepresented workers can typically file on paper at the district office. |
| Fee | Injured workers generally do not pay a filing fee. Lien claimants may face separate rules. Confirm with the DWC. |
| Official PDF | DWC-CA 10250.1 official PDF |
Who Files the Declaration Of Readiness To Proceed and When
Either side can file. In practice, the worker or the worker’s attorney files most of them. Employers and insurers also file them, often to move a case toward closing. Lien claimants, such as medical providers, sometimes file them too. If the other side files a declaration of readiness to proceed in your case, you will get a copy. Read it carefully.
Timing matters. When you sign the form, you are telling the judge you made a real, good-faith effort to settle the dispute first. The form asks you to describe that effort. For example, you can list the letters you sent or the calls you made to the adjuster. If that section is blank, the judge may reject your request.
If you have not opened a claim yet, start there. Our guide on how to file a California workers comp claim walks through the first steps. A declaration of readiness to proceed comes later, once there is a real dispute.
How to Fill It Out and Where to Send It
The form is short, but every box matters. You list your name, your case number, the employer, and the insurer. Next, you check the type of hearing you want. Then you list the issues in dispute. These might include medical treatment, temporary disability, or permanent disability. Finally, you describe your settlement efforts and sign under penalty of perjury.
Many requests get rejected for simple reasons. Common mistakes include:
- A missing or wrong case number
- No hearing type checked
- A blank or vague good-faith section
- No proof that copies were served on the other parties
- Filing before the medical evidence is complete
- Leaving out an issue you want the judge to decide
Attorneys and claims administrators generally must e-file through the DWC’s electronic case system. Unrepresented workers can typically file a paper form at their local district office. Either way, you must send a copy to every other party. You can download the declaration of readiness to proceed from the official DWC-CA 10250.1 PDF. You can also browse every current form on the official DWC forms page. Always use the newest version.
What Happens After You File
After you file, the other side may object. The district office then reviews the request. If it is accepted, you get a notice with the hearing date and place. If it is rejected, you can usually fix the problem and file a new declaration of readiness to proceed. Typically, the rejection notice explains what went wrong.
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At a settlement conference, both sides meet with a judge. Many cases settle there. Any settlement figure discussed is illustrative, and every case is different. If your case does not settle, the judge typically sets it for trial. To see what your employer must provide along the way, read California workers comp requirements. For help with your own case, contact your local DWC district office. Its Information and Assistance unit helps injured workers for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer to file a declaration of readiness to proceed?
No. Workers without a lawyer can file one on their own. However, the DWC’s Information and Assistance officers can explain the form and the hearing process at no cost. Many workers also talk with a licensed attorney before asking for a settlement conference, because discovery may close there.
What if the other side objects to my request?
The judge reviews your request and the objection together. The judge may set the hearing anyway, set a different kind of hearing, or deny the request. If your request is denied, you can usually fix the problem and file again.
Can I withdraw a declaration of readiness to proceed?
In many cases, yes, especially if the dispute settles before the hearing. The rules on how to withdraw can vary. Confirm the right steps with your local DWC district office before you act.
Declaration of readiness to proceed: Quick Recap
If you remember one thing about declaration of readiness to proceed, make it this: the rule is set by the state (or the federal program), not by the insurer, and the official source is linked above. Every figure on this page about declaration of readiness to proceed should be confirmed with the agency before you act on it.
Questions about declaration of readiness to proceed that this page does not answer are usually answered for free by the state workers’ comp agency’s information line — and, for a disputed claim, by a licensed attorney in a first consultation.
See your state’s exact numbers
What you are owed depends on your state’s benefit caps and deadlines. Start with your state’s settlement and claim guides for the exact figures.
Sources & How to Verify
The figures on this page come from official government and industry sources. Workers’ comp benefit caps, deadlines, and rules change, so always confirm the exact figure with your state’s workers’ comp board or a licensed attorney before acting. Settlement estimates are illustrative, and every case is different.
- Your state workers’ comp board, division, or commission: the official source for your state’s exact caps, deadlines, and forms — search “[your state] workers compensation board”
- U.S. Department of Labor (OWCP): dol.gov — federal workers’ compensation overview
- NCCI: ncci.com — workers’ comp rating and benefit data
- Social Security Administration: ssa.gov — benefit-cap and SSDI offset data
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org — neutral workers’ comp background
Content last reviewed October 2026. If you notice an outdated figure, please contact us.
Related Guides
- California Workers Comp Board
- How to File a California Workers Comp Claim
- California Workers Comp Requirements
- Workers Comp Settlements by State (All 50)
- Workers Comp Claims by State (All 50)
- More in This Category
- Settlements by Injury
- Benefits Explained
- Workers Comp Glossary
Informational only — not legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers Comp Explained is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, insurer, or medical or financial advisor, and this page does not provide legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers’ compensation benefits, deadlines, and rules vary by state and change over time, and settlement estimates are illustrative only. Always confirm the exact figure and any deadline with your state’s workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act.