The dwc 073 form is the Texas Work Status Report. Your treating doctor fills it out after a visit. It tells you, your employer, and the insurance carrier whether you can work right now. If you are hurt and worried about your paycheck, this one page matters a lot. It is often what decides whether income benefits start, continue, or stop. This guide explains what the form does, who sends it, and what to check when you get your copy.
What the Dwc 073 Form Is For
The Work Status Report is how the Texas workers’ comp system tracks your ability to work after an injury. Your doctor picks one of three general choices. You may return to work with no limits. You may return with specific restrictions. Or your injury keeps you from working for now. The doctor also lists the dates the status applies to and the date of your next visit.
This matters because the insurance carrier uses the dwc 073 form when it decides on temporary income benefits. In most cases, a report saying you cannot work supports those benefits. A report listing restrictions lets your employer look for light-duty work that fits them. As a result, one change on this form can change your weekly check. The form comes from the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation, which you can read more about on our Texas workers comp board page.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Form number | DWC Form-073 |
| Form title | Work Status Report |
| Who files | The treating doctor, to the worker, employer and carrier, after each visit that changes work status |
| Where it goes | To the injured worker, the employer, and the insurance carrier |
| Fee | The worker does not file this form. Confirm any billing questions with the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation |
| Agency | Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation |
| Official PDF | https://www.tdi.texas.gov/forms/dwc/dwc073wkstat.pdf |
Who Files the Dwc 073 Form and When
Your treating doctor is responsible for this form, not you. Typically, the doctor completes it after your first exam for the work injury. After that, they send a new one after any visit that changes your work status. For example, if you move from “cannot work” to “light duty,” a new report should go out.
A carrier or employer may also ask the doctor for an updated report. If your status has not changed, your doctor may not need to send a new one after every visit. However, if you are unsure whether a report went out, ask the doctor’s office directly. It is your right to have a copy. Keep every copy in one folder with your other claim papers. If you have not started your claim yet, see how to file a Texas workers comp claim.
How to Fill It Out and Where to Send It
The doctor fills in the form, but it helps to know its main parts. The top section lists your name, your employer, the carrier, and your injury details. The middle section holds the work status choice. If the doctor picks restrictions, they mark specific limits. These may cover things like standing, sitting, lifting, bending, or how many hours you can work. The doctor also notes how long the status should last and signs the form.
Common mistakes cause real problems for workers. Watch for these on your copy of the dwc 073 form:
- Wrong name, date of injury, or claim details
- No work status box checked, or more than one checked
- Restrictions that are vague, such as “light duty” with no details
- Missing dates for how long the status lasts
- Missing doctor signature
If something looks wrong, call the doctor’s office and ask for a corrected report. Be calm and specific. The doctor sends the form to you, your employer, and the carrier, usually by fax, mail, or a secure electronic method. You can view the current blank version at the official PDF: DWC Form-073 Work Status Report. You can also find it on the TDI-DWC numeric forms list.
What Happens After You File
Once the carrier gets the report, it reviews your income benefits. If the dwc 073 form says you cannot work, the carrier typically keeps paying temporary income benefits, if you qualify. If it lists restrictions, your employer may offer you a job that fits those limits. In most cases, that offer must match what your doctor wrote. Read any job offer carefully next to your latest report before you answer it.
If you disagree with your work status, talk with your treating doctor first. You can also ask the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation about your options, including dispute steps. Our page on Texas workers comp requirements explains the basics of who is covered. Any benefit or settlement figures you see elsewhere are illustrative only, and every case is different. Confirm deadlines and amounts with the state agency and a licensed attorney before you act.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to fill out the dwc 073 form myself?
No. Your treating doctor completes and sends it. Your job is to read your copy, check it for errors, and keep it with your records.
What if my employer offers a job that does not fit my restrictions?
Compare the job duties with the limits on your latest Work Status Report. If they do not match, tell your employer and your doctor in writing. Then confirm your rights with the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation or a licensed attorney.
Can a dwc 073 form stop my income benefits?
It can affect them. A report releasing you to full duty, or a fitting job offer under your restrictions, may reduce or end temporary income benefits. If you think the report is wrong, raise it with your doctor and the agency quickly.
Dwc 073 form: Quick Recap
If you remember one thing about dwc 073 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 073 form should be confirmed with the agency before you act on it.
Questions about dwc 073 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.