Workers' comp deadlines by state
How quickly you must tell your employer about a work injury, and the deadline to file a workers' compensation claim.
General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Rules have exceptions; open your state for details and the law it comes from.
| State | Tell your employer | File a claim |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 5 days, in writing (up to 90 days if there is a good reason) | 2 years from injury or last compensation payment |
| Alaska | 30 days, in writing | 2 years after you know the injury is work-related (no more than 4 years after injury) |
| Arizona | As soon as possible | 1 year after the injury becomes apparent |
| Arkansas | As soon as possible, in writing (Form N) | 2 years from injury |
| California | 30 days | 1 year from injury or last benefit provided |
| Colorado | 4 working days, in writing | 2 years from injury |
| Connecticut | As soon as possible | 1 year from accident; 3 years from first symptoms of an occupational disease |
| Delaware | 90 days | 2 years from accident; occupational disease 1 year after you learn the cause |
| District of Columbia | 30 days, in writing | 1 year after you are aware the injury is work-related |
| Florida | 30 days | 2 years after you knew or should have known the injury was work-related |
| Georgia | 30 days | 1 year from injury (2 years from last medical treatment paid; 2 years from last income benefit) |
| Hawaii | As soon as possible | 2 years after the effects appear, and within 5 years of the accident |
| Idaho | 60 days | 1 year from accident |
| Illinois | 45 days (90 days for radiation exposure) | 3 years from accident, or 2 years from last payment |
| Indiana | 30 days, in writing | 2 years from injury |
| Iowa | 90 days | 2 years from injury (3 years from last weekly payment) |
| Kansas | 20 days | 3 years from accident, or 2 years from last payment |
| Kentucky | As soon as possible | 2 years from injury or last payment; occupational disease 3 years from last exposure |
| Louisiana | 30 days | 1 year from accident (3 years for medical benefits after last payment) |
| Maine Under review | 30 days (up to 90 days if late by mistake) | 2 years from injury or employer's first report, whichever is later |
| Maryland | 10 days | File within 60 days; claims are barred after 2 years |
| Massachusetts | As soon as possible | 4 years after you learn the injury is work-related |
| Michigan | 90 days | 2 years from injury |
| Minnesota | 14 days for full benefits; 180 days at the latest | 3 years after employer's report, no later than 6 years after injury |
| Mississippi | 30 days | 2 years from injury |
| Missouri | 30 days, in writing | 2 years from injury (3 years if the employer did not file its report) |
| Montana | 30 days | 12 months from accident |
| Nebraska | As soon as possible, in writing | 2 years from accident |
| Nevada | 7 days, in writing (Form C-1) | 90 days (claim form C-4) |
| New Hampshire | As soon as possible, within 2 years | 3 years after you knew of the injury and its work link |
| New Jersey | 14 days (up to 90 days if the employer is not harmed) | 2 years from accident, or 2 years from last payment |
| New Mexico | 15 days, in writing | 1 year after the employer or insurer fails or refuses to pay |
| New York | 30 days, in writing | 2 years from injury |
| North Carolina | 30 days, in writing | 2 years from accident |
| North Dakota | As soon as possible (benefits can be affected if you wait longer than 7 days) | 1 year after you knew of a work injury with lost wages or treatment |
| Ohio | As soon as possible | 1 year from injury; occupational disease 2 years |
| Oklahoma | 30 days | 1 year from injury (or 1 year from last payment) |
| Oregon | 90 days, in writing (up to 1 year with good cause) | 90 days; occupational disease 1 year after discovery |
| Pennsylvania | 21 days for benefits from day one; no benefits if after 120 days | 3 years from injury |
| Rhode Island | 30 days, in writing | 2 years from the injury or its appearance |
| South Carolina | 90 days | 2 years from accident |
| South Dakota Under review | 3 business days, in writing | 2 years after the insurer denies in writing (3 years from injury in some cases) |
| Tennessee | 15 days, in writing | 1 year from accident (or 1 year from last payment) |
| Texas | 30 days | 1 year from injury |
| Utah | 180 days | Report within 180 days; application for hearing within 6 years |
| Vermont Under review | As soon as possible | 6 months after the injury and cause are reasonably discoverable |
| Virginia | 30 days, in writing | 2 years from accident |
| Washington | As soon as possible | 1 year from injury; occupational disease 2 years after a doctor tells you |
| West Virginia | As soon as possible, in writing | 6 months from injury; occupational disease 3 years |
| Wisconsin Under review | 30 days (up to 2 years if the employer knew) | 6 years for traumatic injuries since 2006; 12 years in other cases; no limit for occupational disease |
| Wyoming | 72 hours to your employer; injury report within 10 days | 1 year from injury or discovery |
How we checked this
Claim deadlines come from a law-firm compendium that cites each statute. Notice deadlines were compared across two 50-state tables; where they differed we used the statute. Last checked: November 12, 2026. Laws change; confirm with the state agency or a licensed professional before acting.
Cross-checked sources agree Checked on official source confirmed on a government, court or legislature site From a statute-cited table one detailed source Under review sources disagree; read the note and the law.