"I don't understand what they sent me."

The four that start a deadline

A utilization review decision — approving, modifying, or denying treatment.

A modification is a denial of what it left out, and it starts the same 30-day IMR clock as an outright denial. The letter will say "approved." More.

A QME panel notice — naming evaluators or a specialty.

The panel process runs on short deadlines and missing one can cost you the choice of specialty. More.

A Declaration of Readiness to Proceed (DOR).

Ten calendar days to object, or all objections are waived under 8 CCR § 10744.

A settlement document — Compromise and Release or Stipulations with Request for Award.

Read the title. One closes future medical permanently; the other does not. The difference.

The ones that matter but do not start a clock

Benefit notices — accepting, delaying, or denying. Keep every one, with its date. The 90-day presumption under § 5402(b) runs from your claim form, and these letters are how you prove the timeline.

The permanent and stationary report. Long, medical, and the document your entire rating is built from. What to check in it.

Payment statements. Build the ledger — date issued, date received, period, amount. § 4650(d) adds 10% to any late indemnity payment automatically.

What to do with all of it

Keep every envelope and every date. Date of mailing and date of receipt are different and both matter.

Photograph or scan each one.

And ask for documents in your language. Many DWC notices and forms are available in Spanish, and a claims administrator's notice obligations are not satisfied by handing you something you cannot read.

You are entitled to an interpreter at no cost — a qualified interpreter at treatment appointments under § 4600(g), a certified interpreter at an employer-requested or Board-requested medical examination under § 4600(f), and one at your deposition under § 5710(b)(5), as well as at hearings. Your interpreter rights.

Free help exists

Every DWC district office has an Information & Assistance officer who answers questions and helps with forms at no cost. The DWC Information Services Center is 1-800-736-7401. Where the offices are.

And we will read anything you have received, for free, and tell you what it is and whether a clock is running.