After injury or illness occurs, it is the employee's responsibility to complete a claim form and to submit it to either the employer or the state workers' compensation agency/board. Normally, an employer will have the claim forms available.

The employer will submit the claim to the insurance company. The employer is given an opportunity to respond to the claim. If he does not contest the claim, payment of medical bills and wages will be made by the insurance company. A hearing can be scheduled if the employer contests the claim to determine whether, or how much, compensation is owed to the employee.