California's Electronic Adjudication Management System (EAMS) public search tool provides access to a searchable database of active workers' compensation cases filed with the Worker's Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB). The EAMS database includes active cases that are in dispute and filed as appeals with the WCAB. Active cases are defined as those for which hearings are scheduled or those that are in review by judges. The database does not provide access to case files, but you can request case files under the Public Records Act. The database can be searched by inputting one or more of the following fields:
- Case number
- Last name
- First name
- Date of birth
- Date of injury
- Address
- City
- Zip code
- Employer name
Results for each query are listed in a table with the following information:
- Last name
- First name
- Case number
- Date of injury
- Employer name
- Case status
- Next hearing date
It is important to note that the EAMS database reports exact matches only (i.e., doesn't account for name or spelling variations or mistakes.) For example, if an employer's name can be reported as "Corp." or "Corporation", you will have to search all possible permutations of the company's name to ensure you have conducted a comprehensive search. Read some additional tips for effective searches here.
Also keep in mind that once a case is closed, it disappears from the system entirely. While this prevents easy searching, it shouldn't prevent you from putting in a public records act request for a case if you know one existed.