OverviewUpdated 2026-02-27
Utah Workers' Compensation Guide — Benefits, Claims & Rights
Workers' compensation coverage, benefits, filing deadlines, and dispute resolution in Utah.
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Filing a Workers' Comp Claim in Utah — Steps & DeadlinesWorkers' Comp Benefits — TTD, PPD & Medical CoverageDenied Workers' Comp Claims in Utah — Your OptionsWorkers' Comp Retaliation — Know Your RightsIndependent Medical Exams (IME) in Utah Workers' CompWorkers' Comp Settlements & Hearings — What to Expect
How Workers' Comp Claims Work
Workers' compensation is a no-fault system — you do not have to prove your employer was negligent to receive benefits. But the process still requires specific steps in a specific order: reporting the injury, filing a formal claim, and getting treatment through authorized providers. If the insurer disputes your claim, the process shifts to hearings and appeals. Acting quickly matters, because most states impose strict deadlines for reporting and filing.
1
⚠️
Injury Occurs
workplace accident
2
📄
Report to Employer
notify promptly
3
📋
File Claim
submit to insurer
4
🏥
Medical Treatment
authorized providers
5
✅
Benefits Paid
wage & medical
If Claim Is Disputed
❌
Claim Denied
insurer rejects claim
🏛️
Appeal / Hearing
before workers' comp board
💰
Settlement
lump sum or structured
High-level illustration only. Timelines, procedures, and benefits vary by state and employer.
Who Is Covered?
Utah requires workers' compensation insurance for all employers with one or more employees §34A-2-103. The Exclusive remedy doctrine means that in most cases, workers' comp is your sole remedy against your employer for workplace injuries §34A-2-105.
Key Deadlines
1
Report the injury to your employer within An injured employee should report the injury or illness to the employer immediately; failing to report within 180 days may disqualify the employee from benefits. Report timing for employers is set by commission rule: under Utah Admin. Code R612-200-1, an employer that has workers' compensation insurance must report the injury to its insurance carrier within 7 days after receiving initial notice (an authorized self-insured employer reports to its claims administrator, and an employer without coverage contacts the Division directly), and the insurance carrier or self-insured employer must then submit a First Report of Injury to the Division within 14 days after receiving initial notice; injuries requiring only first aid need not be reported §34A-2-407
2
File a formal claim within Medical expenses: the employee must submit (or make a reasonable attempt to submit) the expense to the employer or insurance carrier within 1 year from the later of the day the expense is incurred or the day the employee knew, or with reasonable diligence should have known, that it relates to the industrial accident — this limit does not apply to prosthetic devices or in a permanent total disability case. Disability compensation (temporary total, temporary partial, permanent partial, permanent total): an application for hearing must be filed with the Division of Adjudication no later than 6 years from the date of the accident, and the employee must be able to meet the burden of proving entitlement by no later than 12 years from the accident (the commission may still enter an order a reasonable time beyond 12 years in limited circumstances, such as an ongoing commission-approved reemployment plan or active adjudication of compensability). Death benefits: an application for hearing must be filed within 1 year of the date of the employee's death §34A-2-417
3
Attend all medical appointments and follow treatment plans
4
Cooperate with any independent medical examination requests
⚠Missing these deadlines can result in losing your right to benefits entirely. Report your injury as soon as possible.
Benefit Overview
Workers' compensation in Utah provides several categories of benefits:
| Description | |
|---|---|
| Temporary Total Disability (TTD) | 66.67% of average weekly wage, subject to state maximum; Until return to work or MMI; not to exceed 312 weeks §34A-2-410 |
| Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) | Yes; scheduled benefits for specific body parts; unscheduled based on impairment rating §34A-2-412 |
| Death Benefits | 66.67% of decedent's average weekly wage to dependents; burial expense allowance |
| Medical Treatment | All reasonable and necessary medical care related to the work injury |
Medical Treatment
If the insurance carrier or self-insured employer has developed a preferred provider program, the employee is required to use preferred provider physicians and preferred health care facilities (the program must allow a selection of more than one physician in the specialty needed), with exceptions for emergencies, conditions the employee in good faith believes are nonindustrial, and rural employees unduly burdened by travel; if no preferred provider program is developed, the employee may have free choice of health care providers §34A-2-111. All reasonable and necessary medical treatment causally related to the workplace injury must be covered by the employer or insurer.
✓Keep detailed records of every medical visit, prescription, and work restriction related to your injury. This documentation is critical if your claim is disputed.
No Obligation
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
General answers to common questions. Specific outcomes depend on your facts and timing.
If you have a deadline, court notice, or upcoming hearing, mention it when requesting assistance so timing can be evaluated promptly.
Legal authoritiesStatutes referenced on this page
Utah Code § 34A-2-103
Employer Coverage Requirements
Defines which employers must carry workers' compensation insurance: all employers with one or more employees.
- All employers with one or more employees
Verified 2026-10-18 · quarterly review
Utah Code § 34A-2-105
Exclusive Remedy Doctrine
Workers' compensation is generally the exclusive remedy for workplace injuries, barring most tort claims against the employer.
Verified 2026-09-24 · quarterly review
Utah Code § 34A-2-410
Temporary Total Disability Benefits
TTD benefits paid at 66.67% of average weekly wage, subject to state maximum.
- 66.67% of average weekly wage, subject to state maximum
- Until return to work or MMI; not to exceed 312 weeks
Verified 2026-09-24 · quarterly review
Utah Code § 34A-2-407
Employer Notice Deadline
Employee must report injury within An injured employee should report the injury or illness to the employer immediately; failing to report within 180 days may disqualify the employee from benefits. Report timing for employers is set by commission rule: under Utah Admin. Code R612-200-1, an employer that has workers' compensation insurance must report the injury to its insurance carrier within 7 days after receiving initial notice (an authorized self-insured employer reports to its claims administrator, and an employer without coverage contacts the Division directly), and the insurance carrier or self-insured employer must then submit a First Report of Injury to the Division within 14 days after receiving initial notice; injuries requiring only first aid need not be reported.
- An injured employee should report the injury or illness to the employer immediately; failing to report within 180 days may disqualify the employee from benefits. Report timing for employers is set by commission rule: under Utah Admin. Code R612-200-1, an employer that has workers' compensation insurance must report the injury to its insurance carrier within 7 days after receiving initial notice (an authorized self-insured employer reports to its claims administrator, and an employer without coverage contacts the Division directly), and the insurance carrier or self-insured employer must then submit a First Report of Injury to the Division within 14 days after receiving initial notice; injuries requiring only first aid need not be reported
Utah Code § 34A-2-417
Claim Filing Deadline
Statute of limitations: Medical expenses: the employee must submit (or make a reasonable attempt to submit) the expense to the employer or insurance carrier within 1 year from the later of the day the expense is incurred or the day the employee knew, or with reasonable diligence should have known, that it relates to the industrial accident — this limit does not apply to prosthetic devices or in a permanent total disability case. Disability compensation (temporary total, temporary partial, permanent partial, permanent total): an application for hearing must be filed with the Division of Adjudication no later than 6 years from the date of the accident, and the employee must be able to meet the burden of proving entitlement by no later than 12 years from the accident (the commission may still enter an order a reasonable time beyond 12 years in limited circumstances, such as an ongoing commission-approved reemployment plan or active adjudication of compensability). Death benefits: an application for hearing must be filed within 1 year of the date of the employee's death.
- Medical expenses: the employee must submit (or make a reasonable attempt to submit) the expense to the employer or insurance carrier within 1 year from the later of the day the expense is incurred or the day the employee knew, or with reasonable diligence should have known, that it relates to the industrial accident — this limit does not apply to prosthetic devices or in a permanent total disability case. Disability compensation (temporary total, temporary partial, permanent partial, permanent total): an application for hearing must be filed with the Division of Adjudication no later than 6 years from the date of the accident, and the employee must be able to meet the burden of proving entitlement by no later than 12 years from the accident (the commission may still enter an order a reasonable time beyond 12 years in limited circumstances, such as an ongoing commission-approved reemployment plan or active adjudication of compensability). Death benefits: an application for hearing must be filed within 1 year of the date of the employee's death
Verified 2026-09-23 · quarterly review
Utah Code § 34A-2-111
Medical Treatment / Physician Selection
If the insurance carrier or self-insured employer has developed a preferred provider program, the employee is required to use preferred provider physicians and preferred health care facilities (the program must allow a selection of more than one physician in the specialty needed), with exceptions for emergencies, conditions the employee in good faith believes are nonindustrial, and rural employees unduly burdened by travel; if no preferred provider program is developed, the employee may have free choice of health care providers.
Verified 2026-09-24 · quarterly review
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