Written by this site from official U.S. sources

If you're hurt at work, tell your employer and contact your state's workers' compensation board

High value
Evidence B
Saves money
Free
Takes some hours
No willpower

In plain words

Workers' compensation for people who work for private companies or for state and local governments is run by each state. If you're hurt on the job, report it to your employer and contact your state's workers' compensation board. Each state sets its own deadlines and benefit amounts. Federal employees and a few special groups, such as longshore and harbor workers and coal miners with black lung, use federal programs instead.

Cost: Free to file. Expect several hours of forms, doctor visits and phone calls.
What you get: Department of Labor: "Individuals injured on the job while employed by private companies or state and local government agencies should contact their state workers' compensation board." DOL keeps a list of state workers' compensation boards (see source). DOL's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) runs four federal programs, the Federal Employees' Compensation Program, the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Program, the Federal Black Lung Program and the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program. They cover federal workers and other specific groups who are injured at work or get an occupational disease, and provide wage replacement benefits, medical treatment, vocational rehabilitation and other benefits.
Notes: There is no single national workers' compensation system for private-sector jobs. Who is covered, the deadline to report an injury or file a claim, how much of your wages is replaced and for how long are all set by state law, so look them up with your state board. Don't wait: report the injury in writing and keep copies of medical records.
Evidence grade: B: Supported by research but without a precise number, or based on small or single studies.
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor. Workers' Compensation. https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/workcomp （核对的是 web.archive.org 2026年9月25日的存档）
U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs. State Workers' Compensation Officials (list of state boards). https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/wc （未打开核对，网址取自上一条 DOL 页面上的链接）

Sources checked 2026-10-12

Replaces in the original

If you are hurt at work or hit on the way to or from work, the first thing is to apply for a work-injury determination (工伤认定), and if the employer doesn't file, file it yourself

Content may be out of date and rules differ by place. When you actually deal with an agency, a doctor or a court, follow what local officials, doctors and lawyers tell you.