How to File a Workers' Compensation Claim in Nevada
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Nevada · 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 Nevada, the system is administered by the Workers' Compensation Section (WCS) of the Division of Industrial Relations (DIR), within the Department of Business and Industry. Two deadlines are critical. You must give your employer written notice of the injury as soon as practicable, but within 7 days after the accident (NRS 616C.015), using Form C-1. You must then file your claim for compensation with the insurer within 90 days after the accident (NRS 616C.020). After you report the injury, you and your treating physician complete Form C-4, the Employee's Claim for Compensation, which the physician files with your employer and its insurer. The insurer decides whether to accept or deny the claim, and if it is denied you can appeal to a Hearing Officer and then an Appeals Officer. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
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Where are you after your work injury?
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How do I file a workers' compensation claim in Nevada?
First, give your employer written notice of the injury within 7 days using Form C-1 (NRS 616C.015). Then get medical treatment and complete Form C-4, the Employee's Claim for Compensation, which your treating physician files with your employer and its insurer to open the claim.
How long do I have to file a workers' compensation claim in Nevada?
Two deadlines matter. You must give your employer written notice within 7 days after the accident (NRS 616C.015). Separately, you must file your claim for compensation with the insurer within 90 days after the accident (NRS 616C.020). Missing either deadline can bar your benefits.
What are the C-1 and C-4 forms in Nevada?
The C-1 is Nevada's Notice of Injury or Occupational Disease, the written notice you give your employer within 7 days (NRS 616C.015). The C-4 is the Employee's Claim for Compensation, completed by you and your treating physician, which opens your claim with the insurer.
Who handles workers' compensation claims in Nevada?
Nevada's workers' compensation system is administered by the Workers' Compensation Section (WCS) of the Division of Industrial Relations (DIR), within the Department of Business and Industry. Your employer's insurer decides your claim. If a dispute arises, you appeal to a Hearing Officer and then an Appeals Officer.
Nevada workers' compensation claim law at a glance
In Nevada, 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 run by the Workers' Compensation Section (WCS) of the Division of Industrial Relations (DIR), within the Department of Business and Industry. You must give your employer written notice of the injury as soon as practicable, but within 7 days after the accident, using Form C-1 (NRS 616C.015). You must then file your claim for compensation with the insurer within 90 days after the accident (NRS 616C.020). You and your treating physician complete Form C-4 to open the claim. If the insurer denies it, you can appeal to a Hearing Officer and then an Appeals Officer.
Filing a Nevada workers' compensation claim after a warehouse back injury
Suppose you hurt your back lifting boxes at a Las Vegas warehouse. You tell your supervisor and, within a few days, give written notice on Form C-1, staying inside the 7-day reporting deadline (NRS 616C.015). You see a physician, and together you complete Form C-4, the Employee's Claim for Compensation, which your physician files with your employer and its insurer. Because you sought medical treatment, your 90-day clock to file the claim is running (NRS 616C.020), so you make sure the claim is filed well within it. The insurer starts paying for treatment but later disputes your wage-replacement benefits. You request a hearing before a Hearing Officer to contest the decision. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
NRS 616C.015 (7-day written notice of injury to employer)
Requires an injured employee to provide written notice of an injury arising out of and in the course of employment to the employer as soon as practicable, but within 7 days after the accident, on a form prescribed by the Administrator (Form C-1).
NRS 616C.020 (90-day claim for compensation)
Requires an injured employee to file a claim for compensation with the insurer within 90 days after an accident if the employee sought medical treatment for the injury or was off work as a result of it. Dependents have 1 year after a death.
NRS 616C.025 (recovery barred if notice or claim not filed)
Bars an employee from recovering compensation if the employee fails to file a notice of injury under NRS 616C.015 or a claim for compensation under NRS 616C.020, with limited exceptions the insurer may excuse, such as injury, mistake, or fraud.
NRS 616C.040 (treating physician files the C-4 claim form)
Requires the treating physician to complete and file a claim for compensation (Form C-4) with the employer and the employer's insurer within 3 working days after first providing treatment to the injured employee for a particular injury.
Nevada Division of Industrial Relations, Workers' Compensation Section
The DIR Workers' Compensation Section (WCS), within the Department of Business and Industry, ensures that Nevada workers injured on the job receive the benefits to which they are entitled and oversees the claim process.
Regional Variances
Nevada workers' compensation claim rules at a glance
Reporting deadline
As soon as practicable, but within 7 days after the accident, you must give your employer written notice on Form C-1, under NRS 616C.015. Failing to file the notice can bar you from recovering benefits.
Claim forms
Form C-1 is the Notice of Injury given to your employer. Form C-4, the Employee's Claim for Compensation, is completed by you and your treating physician and filed with the insurer to open the claim.
Filing deadline
You must file your claim for compensation with the insurer within 90 days after the accident (NRS 616C.020) if you sought medical treatment or were off work because of the injury.
Who administers it
The Workers' Compensation Section (WCS) of the Division of Industrial Relations (DIR), within the Department of Business and Industry. Your employer's insurer decides the claim day to day.
How disputes are resolved
If the insurer denies your claim, you request a hearing before a Hearing Officer (NRS 616C.315) and, if needed, appeal to an Appeals Officer (NRS 616C.345) in the Department of Administration.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Report the injury to your employer in writing
Within 7 days of the accident days after startingGive your employer written notice of the injury on Form C-1 as soon as practicable, but within 7 days after the accident (NRS 616C.015). Failing to file the notice can bar your benefits under NRS 616C.025, so do this immediately and keep a dated copy.
Get medical treatment and records
As soon as possible after the injury days after startingSee a physician for your work injury and keep every medical record and bill. Seeking treatment triggers your 90-day deadline to file the claim, and the records document the diagnosis and treatment if the insurer later disputes benefits.
Complete and file Form C-4 with the insurer
Within 90 days of the accident days after startingComplete the employee section of Form C-4, the Employee's Claim for Compensation, and have your treating physician file it with your employer and its insurer within 90 days after the accident (NRS 616C.020). Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
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 accident date so you can protect both the 7-day and 90-day windows under NRS 616C.015 and 616C.020.
Appeal a denial to a Hearing Officer
After the insurer denies the claim days after startingIf the insurer denies your claim, request a hearing before a Hearing Officer under NRS 616C.315, and if needed appeal to an Appeals Officer under NRS 616C.345. Act quickly, because appeal deadlines are short. 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 on Form C-1 as soon as practicable, but within 7 days after the accident (NRS 616C.015). Failing to file the notice can bar your benefits under NRS 616C.025, so do this immediately and keep a dated copy. | - | Within 7 days of the accident |
| Get medical treatment and records | See a physician for your work injury and keep every medical record and bill. Seeking treatment triggers your 90-day deadline to file the claim, and the records document the diagnosis and treatment if the insurer later disputes benefits. | - | As soon as possible after the injury |
| Complete and file Form C-4 with the insurer | Complete the employee section of Form C-4, the Employee's Claim for Compensation, and have your treating physician file it with your employer and its insurer within 90 days after the accident (NRS 616C.020). Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft. | - | Within 90 days of the accident |
| 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 accident date so you can protect both the 7-day and 90-day windows under NRS 616C.015 and 616C.020. | - | While the claim is pending |
| Appeal a denial to a Hearing Officer | If the insurer denies your claim, request a hearing before a Hearing Officer under NRS 616C.315, and if needed appeal to an Appeals Officer under NRS 616C.345. Act quickly, because appeal deadlines are short. File early to protect your rights. | - | After the insurer denies the claim |
Frequently Asked Questions
A workers' compensation claim is how an employee injured on the job, or made sick by work, obtains medical care and wage-replacement benefits from the employer's insurer, without proving fault. In Nevada, you open a claim by reporting the injury on Form C-1 and filing Form C-4 with the insurer.
Reporting means giving your employer written notice of the injury on Form C-1, which you must do within 7 days (NRS 616C.015). Filing the claim is the separate step of completing Form C-4 with your physician and submitting it to the insurer. Reporting comes first; filing the claim follows.
You must give your employer written notice of the injury as soon as practicable, but within 7 days after the accident (NRS 616C.015). You provide this notice on Form C-1, the Notice of Injury or Occupational Disease. Reporting late can bar you from recovering benefits, so report promptly.
You must file your claim for compensation with the insurer within 90 days after the accident (NRS 616C.020). The 90-day period applies if you sought medical treatment or were off work because of the injury. Missing this deadline can bar you from recovering compensation under NRS 616C.025.
Reporting late can jeopardize your claim. NRS 616C.025 bars recovery of compensation if you fail to file a notice of injury under NRS 616C.015. An insurer may excuse a late notice in limited situations, such as injury or mistake, but you should always report as soon as you can.
Your employer's insurer first decides whether to accept or deny the claim. If you disagree, you request a hearing before a Hearing Officer (NRS 616C.315). If you still disagree, you appeal to an Appeals Officer (NRS 616C.345) in the Department of Administration, Hearings Division.
No. Nevada 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.
You and your treating physician both complete Form C-4, the Employee's Claim for Compensation. You fill out the employee section, and your physician completes the medical section and files the form with your employer and its insurer within 3 working days of first treatment (NRS 616C.040).
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