Topic guideUpdated 2026-02-27
Denied Workers' Comp Claims in Utah — Your Options
What to do when your Utah workers' compensation claim is denied, including dispute resolution and appeals.
Common Reasons for Denial
Claims are frequently denied for these reasons:
1
Late notice to employer (must be 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
Dispute over whether the injury is work-related
3
Pre-existing condition arguments
4
Missed medical appointments or non-compliance with treatment
5
Filing deadline expired (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
The Dispute Resolution Process
Application for hearing before the Utah Labor Commission; adjudication by an ALJ §34A-2-417.
Appeals
A party may file a motion for review with the Division of Adjudication within 30 days of the ALJ's decision (heard by the commissioner or, on request, the Appeals Board); an aggrieved party may then seek judicial review in the Utah Court of Appeals within 30 days of the final order §34A-2-801.
Independent Medical Examination (IME)
The division or an administrative law judge may require an employee claiming compensation to submit to a medical examination; refusing or obstructing the examination suspends the right to have the claim considered and to receive compensation payments while the refusal continues §34A-2-602. The IME results can significantly impact your claim.
⚠If the insurer requests an IME, you must attend. Failure to appear can result in suspension of benefits.
✓Before attending an IME arranged by the insurer, consult with an attorney. You have the right to have your own medical evidence reviewed and considered.
Prepare for Your Consultation
Quick checklist (Workers’ Compensation)
Gather these before your first consultation.
Incident report
(employer report, date/time of injury)
Medical records
(doctor visits, diagnoses, treatment plans)
Wage documentation
(pay stubs, tax returns, employment records)
General preparation tips only. Specific needs depend on your state and claim type.
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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.
Related guides
Legal authoritiesStatutes referenced on this page
Utah Code § 34A-2-417
Dispute Resolution Process
Application for hearing before the Utah Labor Commission; adjudication by an ALJ.
Verified 2026-09-23 · quarterly review
Utah Code § 34A-2-407
Notice Deadline
Timely notice requirement: 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
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-2-602
Independent Medical Examination
The division or an administrative law judge may require an employee claiming compensation to submit to a medical examination; refusing or obstructing the examination suspends the right to have the claim considered and to receive compensation payments while the refusal continues.
Verified 2026-09-24 · quarterly review
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