The dwc 001 form is the Texas employer’s official report of a work injury or illness. Your employer files it with its workers’ comp insurance carrier, not with you. The full name is the Employer’s First Report of Injury or Illness. If you were hurt at work in Texas, this form starts the paperwork trail on the employer’s side. It does not replace your own claim. However, it matters, because it tells the insurer that an injury happened.
What the Dwc 001 Form Is For
The form gives the insurance carrier the basic facts of your injury. It covers who you are, who your employer is, and what happened. It also covers when and where the injury took place and what body part was hurt. The carrier uses this report to open a file and start reviewing your case. In most cases, it is the first official record the insurer sees.
The form is issued by the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation. You can find it on the TDI-DWC numeric forms list. To learn more about the agency itself, see our guide to the Texas workers comp board. Here are the key facts in one place.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Form number | DWC Form-001 |
| Form title | Employer’s First Report of Injury or Illness |
| Who files | The employer |
| Where it is filed | With the employer’s workers’ comp insurance carrier |
| Deadline | Within 8 days of the injury or of knowledge of an occupational disease |
| Fee | No filing fee is listed on the form; confirm with TDI-DWC |
| Agency | Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation |
| Official PDF | DWC Form-001 (PDF) |
Who Files the Dwc 001 Form and When
Your employer files the dwc 001 form, not you. The report goes to the employer’s insurance carrier. You do not need to fill it out or sign it. However, you should tell your employer about your injury as soon as you can. Your employer typically cannot file a report about an injury it does not know about.
Not every injury triggers the report. Texas rules tie the filing duty to how the injury affects your work, such as missed time. The exact trigger is set out in TDI-DWC rules. As a result, ask your employer or TDI-DWC if you are unsure whether a report was required. For a full overview of who must carry coverage, see our page on Texas workers comp requirements.
Many Texas employers also give the injured worker a copy of the report. If you did not get one, it is fair to ask. Keeping a copy helps you check that the facts are right.
How to Fill It Out and Where to Send It
The dwc 001 form has a few main sections. These typically include employer details, employee details, and injury details. The injury section asks what happened, when, where, and which body part was hurt. There are also questions about wages and work status. The employer completes the form and sends it to its carrier. You can view the official DWC Form-001 PDF on the TDI website.
Mistakes on the report can slow things down. For example, common problems include:
- A wrong injury date or wrong body part
- A vague description, such as “hurt back” with no details
- Missing wage information
- A late filing past the 8-day window
- Missing or wrong insurance carrier details
If you see an error on your copy, tell your employer in writing. Keep a copy of what you sent. Many carriers accept reports by mail, fax, or electronic filing. The method depends on the carrier. Your employer should confirm the correct way with its insurer.
What Happens After You File
Once the carrier gets the dwc 001 form, it reviews the report. The carrier may contact you, your employer, or your doctor. It then decides whether to accept or dispute the claim. Typically, you will get a written notice about that decision. If the claim is accepted, benefits may begin. If it is disputed, you have options to challenge it.
📨 Get Free Workers Comp Guides Alerts
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
Remember, the employer’s report is not your claim. You may still need to file your own claim with TDI-DWC. Our guide on how to file a Texas workers comp claim walks through each step. If you have questions, contact the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation through its website. A licensed attorney can also review your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to fill out the dwc 001 form myself?
No. The dwc 001 form is the employer’s report, so your employer completes and files it. Your job is to report your injury to your employer quickly and file your own claim on time.
What if my employer never files the dwc 001 form?
A late or missing report does not necessarily end your rights. You can still report your injury and file your own claim with TDI-DWC. Confirm your options with TDI-DWC and a licensed attorney, and keep records of when you told your employer.
Where can I get a copy of the DWC Form-001?
The blank form is on the TDI website as an official PDF. For a filled-out copy about your injury, ask your employer or the insurance carrier. It is reasonable to request one so you can check the facts.
Dwc 001 form: Quick Recap
If you remember one thing about dwc 001 form, 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 dwc 001 form should be confirmed with the agency before you act on it.
Questions about dwc 001 form 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
- Texas Workers Comp Board
- How to File a Texas Workers Comp Claim
- Texas 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.