EAMS Case Search Guide: Find Any CA Workers’ Comp Case Fast (2025)

Looking for information about a California workers’ compensation case? The EAMS case search system gives you instant access to thousands of case records – and it’s completely free.

Quick Answer: To perform an EAMS case search, visit the Division of Workers’ Compensation website, enter your information, and search by case number, injured worker name, or employer. You’ll get case details, hearing dates, and status updates instantly.

This guide shows you exactly how to use the California EAMS case search tool, what information you can find, and how to avoid common mistakes that waste your time.

What is EAMS? (And Why It Matters for Your Case)

The Electronic Adjudication Management System (EAMS) is California’s digital hub for managing workers’ compensation cases. Think of it as a massive online filing cabinet where every workers’ comp case in California lives.

Before EAMS launched in August 2008, California’s workers’ compensation system drowned in paperwork. Duplicate files, lost documents, and slow processing times frustrated everyone involved. The old Electronic Data Exchange System (EDEX) that ran from 1994 to 2008 couldn’t keep up.

EAMS changed everything.

How EAMS Works

The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) built EAMS to do three critical things:

1. Store all case files digitally – No more paper trails or lost documents
2. Make information accessible – Anyone can search for public case information
3. Speed up processing – Cases move faster through the system

Today, EAMS manages hundreds of thousands of cases. It serves injured workers, employers, attorneys, insurance companies, and judges – basically everyone involved in California workers’ compensation.

Real Benefits for Real People

For Injured Workers:

• Check your case status anytime
• See upcoming hearing dates
• Verify your case information
• Track important deadlines

For Attorneys and Legal Staff:

• Research case history quickly
• Monitor multiple cases at once
• Access hearing schedules
• Verify participant information

For Employers and Claims Administrators:

• Track claims against your company
• Verify insurance coverage
• Monitor case progress
• Manage resources better

The WCAB (Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board) and DWC work together to keep EAMS running smoothly. The system updates every night with new information, so you’re never more than 24 hours behind.

How to Access the EAMS Public Case Search (Step-by-Step)

Ready to search? Here’s exactly what to do. We’ll walk through each step so you can find what you need on your first try.

Step 1: Visit the DWC EAMS Portal

Open your web browser and go to the official Division of Workers’ Compensation website. Look for the “EAMS Public Information Case Search Tool” link.

Important: The DWC updated the portal in 2024. The old general public search tool showed only active cases. The new DWC EAMS case search tool shows everything – active cases, archived cases, and legacy records.

Pro Tip: Bookmark the search page. You’ll probably use it again.

Step 2: Enter Your Requestor Information

Before you search, California law requires you to identify yourself. Don’t worry – this isn’t about invading your privacy. It’s about protecting the privacy of injured workers.

You’ll need to provide:

• Your first and last name (required)
• Your email address (required)
• Your reason for searching (required – be specific)
• Your Uniform Assigned Name (UAN) (only if you have one)

What to write for “reason for searching”:

• “Case research for legal representation”
• “Verifying employer workers’ comp coverage”
• “Personal injury claim information”
• “Academic research on workers’ compensation”

The DWC keeps these records for one year. When you submit your information, you’re agreeing not to share what you find with unauthorized people. This follows Labor Code Section 138.7, which protects sensitive information.

A Word of Warning: Some people try to game the system with fake names. Don’t do this. While the system might accept “Mickey Mouse” as a name, using false information violates California law and could get you in legal trouble.

Step 3: Choose Your Search Criteria

Now comes the fun part – actually searching. The EAMS case information search gives you several ways to find cases.

Search by Case Number (Most Accurate)

If you have a case number, use it. This gives the most precise results.

Case numbers usually start with “ADJ” followed by digits (example: ADJ1234567). Type the full number including the prefix.

Search by Injured Worker Name

Enter the worker’s first and last name. Remember:

• Spelling matters
• Try different variations if you don’t find results
• Middle initials can help narrow results

Search by Employer Name

Type the company name exactly as it appears on legal documents. Abbreviations might not work – if you’re searching for “ABC Corporation,” try both “ABC Corp” and “ABC Corporation.”

Advanced Search Options

Want to narrow your results? Use these filters:

• Injury date range – Great for employers tracking multiple claims
• Lien filing dates – Important for lien claimants
• Hearing dates – Find cases with upcoming hearings
• Lien fee payment dates – Track payment history

Search Limitations You Should Know:

The EAMS public case search only shows Adjudication Unit (ADJ) cases. You won’t find:

• Disability Evaluation Unit (DEU) cases
• Retraining and Return to Work Unit (RRTW/RSU) cases
• Uninsured Employers Fund (UEF) cases (though they appear as info only)

Step 4: Review Your Search Results

Hit the search button and watch the results appear. By default, you’ll see 200 cases, but you can expand this to 1,000 if needed.

What You’ll See:

Each result shows:

• Case number
• Date of injury
• Assigned judge
• Whether the case is archived (closed) or active
• Injured worker’s name
• Employer information
• Case location

Important: The data refreshes nightly, not in real-time. Information is always one day behind. If something happened in court today, it won’t appear until tomorrow.

Session Timeout Warning:

Your search session expires after 15 minutes of inactivity. You’ll get a warning before it kicks you out. If you time out, you’ll need to re-enter your requestor information.

Save or screenshot important information before your session ends.

Understanding EAMS Case Numbers (The ADJ Prefix Explained)

Case numbers are like social security numbers for workers’ comp cases – each one is unique and tells you something about the case.

What Does “ADJ” Mean?

ADJ stands for “Adjudication.” It means the case is with the Adjudication Unit, which handles workers’ compensation court cases through the WCAB EAMS case search system.

Standard Format:

• Prefix: ADJ
• Followed by: 7-8 digits
• Example: ADJ1234567

Some case numbers have extra information in parentheses, like this: ADJ3746457 (SAC 0318786). The part in parentheses shows a secondary identifier, often indicating a specific district office.

Other Case Prefixes You Might See

EAMS uses different prefixes for different case types:

• INT – Integrated Case
• RSU – Return to Work/Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit Case
• DEU – Disability Evaluation Unit Case (information only)
• UEF – Uninsured Employers Benefit Trust Fund Case
• SIF – Subsequent Injuries Benefit Trust Fund Case

Legacy Case Numbers vs. EAMS Numbers

Before EAMS, California used a different numbering system. Legacy case numbers look like this: OAK0123456

Legacy format breakdown:

• Three letters = Venue code (location)
• Seven digits = Case identifier

Common venue codes:

• OAK = Oakland
• SDO = San Diego
• BAK = Bakersfield
• SFO = San Francisco
• LAX = Los Angeles

Converting Legacy Numbers to EAMS:

Good news – you don’t need to convert anything manually. The California EAMS case search tool accepts both formats. Just enter the full legacy number (including the venue code) without spaces.

Key Differences:

• Legacy numbers start with letters (venue codes)
• EAMS numbers start with ADJ (or another prefix)
• EAMS numbers never have a zero immediately after the prefix
• Every legacy case has a matching EAMS number

Pro Tip: When searching with legacy numbers, don’t add “ADJ” to the front. OAK0123456 does not equal ADJ0123456.

What Information Can You Find in an EAMS Case Search?

Once you pull up a case, you’ll see a wealth of information. Here’s what each section means and why it matters.

Case Details Section

Basic Information:

• Case number – Your unique identifier for tracking
• Date of injury – When the workplace injury occurred
• Assigned judge – Who’s overseeing the case
• Case status – Active (ongoing) or Archived (closed)
• Injured worker name – Full legal name
• Employer information – Company name and details
• Case location – Which district office handles it

DEU Indicator:

If you see “DEU Indicator: Yes,” it means the case went through the Disability Evaluation Unit for medical evaluation. This is informational only – you can’t search DEU cases directly through the public portal.

Hearing Information (Critical for Scheduling)

This section shows upcoming court dates. You’ll see:

• Next hearing date and time – Only appears if a hearing is scheduled
• Hearing type – Examples include:
  • Mandatory Settlement Conference (MSC)
  • Trial
  • Status Conference
  • Lien Conference
  • Priority Conference
• Hearing location – Physical address or virtual meeting details
• Hearing judge – Who will preside
• Driver case – If multiple related cases are being heard together

Why This Matters:

Missing a hearing can seriously damage your case. Many people use the EAMS case information search weekly to check for newly scheduled hearings.

Active Case Participants

This section lists everyone officially involved in the case:

You’ll See:

• Participant names
• Their role (attorney, claims administrator, employer, injured worker)
• Business addresses

You Won’t See:

• Injured worker’s home address (protected by law)
• Social Security numbers (never displayed)
• Phone numbers
• Email addresses

Common Participant Roles:

• Applicant Attorney – Represents the injured worker
• Defendant Attorney – Represents the employer/insurance
• Claims Administrator – Manages the claim
• Employer – The company where injury occurred
• Lien Claimant – Medical provider or others seeking payment

Case Events and Timeline

Case events show what’s happened in the case recently. The eams public case search displays events from the last six months, with two permanent exceptions:

Always Visible:

1. Application for Adjudication of Claim filing date
2. Closing document filing date

What You’ll See:

• General description – Brief event summary
• Detailed description – More specific information
• Event date – When it occurred

Common Case Events:

• Application filed
• Answer to application filed
• Medical reports submitted
• Depositions scheduled
• Settlement documents filed
• Orders and decisions issued
• Petitions filed and heard

After Six Months:

Most events disappear from public view after six months. This keeps the interface clean and focuses on recent activity. If you need older information, you may need to request case files through official channels.

Privacy, Confidentiality, and Legal Compliance

Understanding privacy rules isn’t just nice – it’s legally required. Let’s break down what you can and can’t do with EAMS information.

Labor Code Section 138.7: The Privacy Foundation

This California law creates the framework for accessing workers’ compensation case information. It balances public access with individual privacy rights.

The Law Requires You To:

1. Identify yourself truthfully – Use your real name and contact information
2. State a legitimate reason – Explain why you need the information
3. Protect confidential data – Don’t share information with unauthorized people

Legal Consequences:

Violating these requirements can result in:

• Civil penalties
• Criminal charges in severe cases
• Professional discipline for attorneys
• Loss of access to the system

The DWC keeps all search request records for one year. This creates accountability and protects against abuse.

What’s Public vs. What’s Private

Not all case information is available to everyone. Here’s the breakdown:

Publicly Available Information:

• Case numbers and filing dates
• Dates of injury
• Case status (active or archived)
• Assigned judges
• Hearing schedules and locations
• Names of attorneys and participants
• Business addresses
• General case events
• Court orders and decisions

Strictly Confidential Information:

• Injured workers’ home addresses
• Social Security numbers
• Medical records and reports
• Confidential settlement terms
• Private communications
• Personal phone numbers
• Email addresses
• Banking information

Gray Area – Restricted Access:

Some information appears in case files but isn’t searchable through the public portal:

• Detailed medical evaluations
• Vocational reports
• Deposition transcripts
• Confidential settlement documents

If you need these documents and you’re an official party to the case, you can request them through proper legal channels.

Best Practices for Responsible Use

Follow these guidelines to stay on the right side of the law:

Do:

• Use accurate information when logging in
• Search only for legitimate business reasons
• Respect confidentiality of what you find
• Verify information through multiple sources
• Keep records of your searches
• Contact the DWC if you spot errors

Don’t:

• Share injured worker addresses (even if you somehow obtain them)
• Use fake names or contact information
• Search for personal reasons unrelated to workers’ comp
• Share case details publicly on social media
• Use information for employment discrimination
• Harass parties based on case information

Special Warning for Employers:

Using EAMS to screen job applicants is legally risky. While the system might let you search for any name, using workers’ comp history in hiring decisions can violate:

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)
• Various anti-discrimination laws

For Legal Professionals:

Attorneys have additional ethical obligations. Don’t:

• Access cases you’re not authorized to view
• Share confidential information outside privilege
• Use information for solicitation purposes
• Violate attorney-client privilege

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Even with a good system, things go wrong. Here’s how to troubleshoot common EAMS case search issues.

Problem 1: “No Results Found”

Possible Causes:

• Misspelled names
• Wrong case number format
• Case is too old (pre-EAMS)
• Case is DEU/RRTW (not searchable publicly)
• Data entry errors in the system

Solutions:

• Try different name spellings (John vs. Jon, Smith vs. Smyth)
• Check if you have a legacy number and enter it correctly
• Remove the ADJ prefix and try just the numbers
• Expand your date range
• Try searching by employer instead
• Contact the district office directly

Problem 2: Information Seems Outdated

Remember: EAMS updates nightly, not in real-time. If something happened today, it won’t show until tomorrow.

What to do:

• Check back the next day
• Call the district office for urgent matters
• Verify with other parties directly

Problem 3: Can’t Find Hearing Information

Possible Reasons:

• No hearing is currently scheduled
• Hearing was just scheduled (wait until tomorrow)
• Case is archived/closed
• You’re looking at the wrong case

Solutions:

• Check if the case is active
• Search by participant name to find related cases
• Call the WCAB directly for hearing confirmations

Problem 4: Session Keeps Timing Out

The Issue: 15-minute inactivity limit

Solutions:

• Keep a separate document open to copy information quickly
• Take screenshots of important pages
• Set a timer for 12 minutes
• Plan your searches before you start
• Request a session extension when the warning appears

Problem 5: Legacy Number Won’t Convert

Common Mistakes:

• Adding ADJ to legacy numbers
• Including spaces in the number
• Mixing up similar letters and numbers (O vs 0, I vs 1)

Fixes:

• Enter the exact legacy number as written
• Include the three-letter venue code
• Try all capitals or all lowercase (system isn’t case-sensitive)
• Remove any dashes or spaces

Advanced Tips for Power Users

Once you’ve mastered the basics, these advanced techniques will make you an EAMS case search expert.

Tip 1: Use Injury Date Ranges Strategically

Instead of searching for exact dates, use ranges to:

• Find all cases for an employer in a specific year
• Track seasonal injury patterns
• Research historical case data
• Identify trends in your practice area

Example: Search for all cases with injuries between 01/01/2023 and 12/31/2023 for “ABC Manufacturing Company.”

Tip 2: Track Multiple Cases Efficiently

Create a tracking spreadsheet with:

• Case numbers
• Next hearing dates
• Assigned judges
• Current status
• Last check date

Set calendar reminders to:

• Search cases weekly
• Check for new hearings
• Monitor case events
• Update your tracking sheet

Tip 3: Use Employer Searches for Research

Attorneys can research potential clients by searching employer names to:

• See how many cases an employer has
• Identify patterns in denials or delays
• Find similar cases for precedent
• Assess case complexity

Tip 4: Cross-Reference with Other Resources

Combine EAMS searches with:

• Workers’ Compensation Coverage Inquiry – Verify insurance
• WCAB En Banc decisions – Find precedent
• DWC medical provider networks – Check treatment options
• Official Medical Fee Schedule – Understand billing

Tip 5: Understand Judge Assignment Patterns

Different judges have different:

• Scheduling preferences
• Settlement approaches
• Procedural requirements
• Communication styles

Track which judge handles your cases and adapt accordingly.

How EAMS Compares to Other States

California isn’t the only state with electronic case management, but EAMS has unique features.

California EAMS Advantages:

• Free public access
• Comprehensive search options
• Covers all case types
• Historical legacy data
• Nightly updates

What Other States Do Differently:

Some states require:

• Login credentials for any access
• Fees for searches
• Proof of legitimate interest
• Attorney-only access

Industry Trend:

More states are moving toward California’s model of transparent, accessible case management systems. EAMS set a standard that others are following.

Future of EAMS: What’s Coming in 2025 and Beyond

The DWC continues improving EAMS. Recent updates include:

2024 Security Upgrades:

• Enhanced server security
• Better password protection for internal users
• Improved data encryption
• Updated file transmission protocols

Potential Future Improvements:

• Real-time data updates (instead of nightly)
• Mobile app access
• Enhanced search filters
• Document upload capabilities for public users
• Integration with other state systems
• Automatic case notifications

Ongoing Challenges:

The system still has issues:

• Login verification remains weak for public access
• No two-factor authentication
• Limited mobile optimization
• Occasional server slowdowns

The DWC is aware of these issues and continues working on solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions About EAMS Case Search

Final Thoughts: Knowledge is Power in Workers’ Comp

The EAMS case search system puts powerful information at your fingertips. Whether you’re an injured worker tracking your own case, an attorney managing dozens of files, or an employer monitoring claims, EAMS gives you the transparency and access you need.

Remember these key points:

• The system is free and accessible to everyone
• Information updates nightly, not in real-time
• Privacy laws protect sensitive information
• Accurate searches require accurate information
• When in doubt, contact the DWC directly

Most Important: Use the system responsibly. The information you access affects real people’s lives. Protect confidentiality, respect privacy, and use the data only for legitimate purposes.

The Electronic Adjudication Management System represents a massive improvement over California’s old paper-based system. It’s not perfect, but it’s constantly improving. By mastering the DWC EAMS case search, you’re taking control of your workers’ compensation journey.