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Glossary

Workers' comp

ADJ number

The case number for a California workers' comp case in EAMS once WCAB jurisdiction is invoked, written as ADJ followed by digits.

What the ADJ number is

When the WCAB's jurisdiction is invoked, the case gets an adjudication file in EAMS, and its number begins with "ADJ" (for example, ADJ12345678). The DWC's rules define an "adjudication file" or "ADJ file" as the case file the division maintains for a case in which the Appeals Board's jurisdiction has been invoked (8 CCR 10205). One injured worker may have several ADJ numbers: one for each claimed injury, such as a specific injury and a cumulative trauma claim.

How it is used

The ADJ number goes in the caption of every document filed with the WCAB, from petitions and declarations of readiness to settlement documents. Judges' orders, minutes and hearing notices are issued under it, and the public EAMS search looks a case up by it. Cases opened before EAMS may also carry an older legacy case number, which the DWC's lookup tool can match.

Why it matters to an applicant firm

A wrong or missing ADJ number misfiles a document, and a petition filed on only one of a client's several cases may leave the others untouched. Firms keep every ADJ number on the case, matched to its date of injury and body parts, and use it consistently in captions and in EAMS checks.

Sources

  1. Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, § 10205 (Definitions)
  2. DWC: Electronic Adjudication Management System (EAMS)

General information about California and federal rules, not legal advice. Rules change and every case turns on its facts: check the statute and your own analysis before relying on a date or a figure.

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