How to File a Workers' Compensation Claim in Hawaii
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Hawaii · Last updated 2026-09-07
A workers' compensation claim is how an employee who is injured on the job, or made ill by work, obtains medical care and wage-replacement benefits from the employer's insurer, without having to prove the employer was at fault. In Hawaii, the system is administered by the Disability Compensation Division (DCD), within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Two deadlines are critical. You must give your employer written notice of the injury as soon as practicable after it happens (HRS 386-81), and your written claim must reach the director within two years after the effects of the injury become manifest, and within five years of the accident (HRS 386-82). After you report, your employer files a WC-1 report of the injury with the DCD. If it fails to report, or to make your own written claim, you file Form WC-5, the Employee's Claim for Workers' Compensation Benefits, with the division. The insurer decides to accept or deny the claim, and if it is disputed the DCD adjudicates it. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
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How do I file a workers' compensation claim in Hawaii?
First, give your employer written notice of the injury as soon as practicable (HRS 386-81). Your employer then files a WC-1 report with the Disability Compensation Division. If it does not report, you file Form WC-5, the Employee's Claim for Workers' Compensation Benefits, directly with the division.
How long do I have to file a workers' compensation claim in Hawaii?
Two limits apply. You must give your employer written notice as soon as practicable after the injury (HRS 386-81). Separately, your written claim must reach the director within two years after the injury's effects become manifest, and within five years of the accident (HRS 386-82). Missing either can bar benefits.
What is the WC-5 claim form in Hawaii?
The WC-5 is Hawaii's Employee's Claim for Workers' Compensation Benefits. You file it with the Disability Compensation Division when your employer has not reported your injury, or to lodge your own written claim. It records your details, the employer, and how the injury happened, and it opens your case.
Who handles workers' compensation claims in Hawaii?
Hawaii's workers' compensation system is administered by the Disability Compensation Division, part of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Your employer's insurer decides your claim day to day. If a dispute arises, the division adjudicates it after your written claim reaches the director of labor and industrial relations.
Hawaii workers' compensation claim law at a glance
In Hawaii, workers' compensation gives an employee who is injured on the job medical care and wage-replacement benefits from the employer's insurer, regardless of fault. The system is administered by the Disability Compensation Division (DCD), within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. You must give your employer written notice of the injury as soon as practicable after it happens (HRS 386-81). Your employer then files a WC-1 report of the injury with the DCD. If it fails to report, or to make your own written claim, you file Form WC-5 with the division. Your written claim must reach the director within two years after the injury's effects become manifest, and within five years of the accident (HRS 386-82).
Filing a Hawaii workers' compensation claim after a warehouse back injury
Suppose you hurt your back lifting boxes at a Honolulu warehouse. You tell your supervisor and, the same day, give written notice of the injury, meeting the requirement to report as soon as practicable (HRS 386-81). Your employer files a WC-1 report of the injury with the Disability Compensation Division. The insurer starts paying for treatment but later disputes how much wage-loss you are owed. Because your written claim must reach the director within two years after the effects become manifest, and within five years of the accident (HRS 386-82), you file Form WC-5 with the division. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
HRS 386-81 (notice of injury to employer as soon as practicable)
Provides that no proceedings for compensation may be maintained unless written notice of the injury has been given to the employer as soon as practicable after the happening thereof. Failure to give notice does not bar a claim if the employer had knowledge of the injury, furnished medical services, or there was a satisfactory reason for the delay and no prejudice to the employer.
HRS 386-82 (two-year and five-year limitation to file the claim)
Bars the right to compensation unless a written claim is made to the director of labor and industrial relations within two years after the date the effects of the injury became manifest, and within five years after the date of the accident or occurrence which caused the injury. A different rule applies to certain occupational exposures.
Hawaii Disability Compensation Division (administers the workers' compensation law)
The Disability Compensation Division (DCD), within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, administers the Workers' Compensation law. The DCD oversees payment of medical care and wage-loss benefits and adjudicates disputed claims through its district offices, and provides information to employees, employers, and insurance carriers.
Regional Variances
Hawaii workers' compensation claim rules at a glance
Reporting deadline
Written notice of the injury to your employer as soon as practicable after it happens, under HRS 386-81. Hawaii sets no fixed number of days, but late notice can cost you benefits, so report immediately.
Claim form
Form WC-5, the Employee's Claim for Workers' Compensation Benefits. The employer separately files Form WC-1, the Employer's Report of Industrial Injury. You file the WC-5 if the employer fails to report or to make your written claim.
Filing deadline
Under HRS 386-82, your written claim must reach the director within two years after the effects of the injury became manifest, and within five years of the accident or occurrence. Both limits apply.
Who administers it
The Disability Compensation Division (DCD), within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. The DCD oversees benefits and adjudicates disputed claims through its district offices.
How disputes are filed
By making a written claim to the director of labor and industrial relations, usually on Form WC-5, when the insurer denies, delays, or underpays the claim. This must occur within the limits set by HRS 386-82.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Report the injury to your employer in writing
As soon as practicable after the injury days after startingGive your employer written notice of the injury as soon as practicable after it happens (HRS 386-81). Late notice can cost you benefits unless the employer already knew of the injury or was not prejudiced, so do this immediately and keep a dated copy.
Confirm your employer files the WC-1 report
After you report the injury days after startingYour employer should file Form WC-1, the Employer's Report of Industrial Injury, with the Disability Compensation Division. Ask for confirmation and note the date. If the employer will not report, you can file your own written claim on Form WC-5.
Complete and file Form WC-5
As soon as you need to make your own claim days after startingFill out Form WC-5, the Employee's Claim for Workers' Compensation Benefits, describing the injury and affected body parts, sign and date it, and file it with the Disability Compensation Division. Keep a copy. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
Get medical care and keep records
Ongoing after the injury days after startingSeek treatment for your injury and keep every medical record, bill, and letter from the insurer. Documenting the diagnosis, treatment dates, and any work restrictions supports your claim if the insurer later disputes benefits.
Track the insurer's decision and deadlines
While the claim is pending days after startingThe insurer will accept or deny your claim. Calendar any deadline the insurer sets for information, keep proof of what you sent, and note the injury date so you can protect the two-year and five-year windows under HRS 386-82.
Take a disputed claim to the Disability Compensation Division
Within the HRS 386-82 limits days after startingIf the claim is denied, delayed, or underpaid, make your written claim to the director within two years after the effects became manifest and within five years of the accident (HRS 386-82). The DCD adjudicates the dispute. File early to protect your rights.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report the injury to your employer in writing | Give your employer written notice of the injury as soon as practicable after it happens (HRS 386-81). Late notice can cost you benefits unless the employer already knew of the injury or was not prejudiced, so do this immediately and keep a dated copy. | - | As soon as practicable after the injury |
| Confirm your employer files the WC-1 report | Your employer should file Form WC-1, the Employer's Report of Industrial Injury, with the Disability Compensation Division. Ask for confirmation and note the date. If the employer will not report, you can file your own written claim on Form WC-5. | - | After you report the injury |
| Complete and file Form WC-5 | Fill out Form WC-5, the Employee's Claim for Workers' Compensation Benefits, describing the injury and affected body parts, sign and date it, and file it with the Disability Compensation Division. Keep a copy. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft. | - | As soon as you need to make your own claim |
| Get medical care and keep records | Seek treatment for your injury and keep every medical record, bill, and letter from the insurer. Documenting the diagnosis, treatment dates, and any work restrictions supports your claim if the insurer later disputes benefits. | - | Ongoing after the injury |
| Track the insurer's decision and deadlines | The insurer will accept or deny your claim. Calendar any deadline the insurer sets for information, keep proof of what you sent, and note the injury date so you can protect the two-year and five-year windows under HRS 386-82. | - | While the claim is pending |
| Take a disputed claim to the Disability Compensation Division | If the claim is denied, delayed, or underpaid, make your written claim to the director within two years after the effects became manifest and within five years of the accident (HRS 386-82). The DCD adjudicates the dispute. File early to protect your rights. | - | Within the HRS 386-82 limits |
Frequently Asked Questions
A workers' compensation claim is how an employee injured on the job, or made ill by work, obtains medical care and wage-replacement benefits from the employer's insurer, without proving fault. In Hawaii, you open a claim by reporting the injury and, if needed, filing Form WC-5 with the Disability Compensation Division.
Reporting means giving your employer written notice of the injury, which you must do as soon as practicable (HRS 386-81). Filing the claim is the separate step of making a written claim to the director, usually on Form WC-5, so the Disability Compensation Division can act. Reporting comes first; the written claim follows.
Hawaii does not set a fixed number of days. HRS 386-81 requires written notice of the injury to your employer as soon as practicable after it happens. Late notice does not automatically bar your claim if the employer already knew of the injury or was not prejudiced, but you should report immediately.
Under HRS 386-82, your written claim must reach the director within two years after the effects of the injury become manifest, and within five years of the accident that caused it. Both limits apply, so a claim can be barred by either. File as early as you can.
Late notice can jeopardize your claim, so report as soon as practicable (HRS 386-81). The claim is not automatically barred if your employer already had knowledge of the injury, furnished medical care, or there was a satisfactory reason for the delay and the employer was not prejudiced. Still, report right away.
Day to day, your employer's insurer decides whether to accept or deny the claim. If you disagree, the Disability Compensation Division, within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, adjudicates the dispute after your written claim reaches the director. Its district offices hold hearings on contested Hawaii claims.
No. Hawaii workers' compensation is a no-fault system, so you do not have to prove your employer did anything wrong to receive benefits. You generally need to show the injury arose out of and in the course of your employment. In exchange, benefits are set by statute rather than a jury.
If the insurer denies or delays your claim, you can take it to the Disability Compensation Division for a hearing. Make sure your written claim reaches the director within two years after the effects become manifest, and within five years of the accident (HRS 386-82). Attorney review of your case is available through DocDraft.
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