How to File a Workers' Compensation Claim in Maine
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Maine · Last updated 2026-09-07
A workers' compensation claim is how an employee who is injured on the job, or made ill by work, obtains medical care and wage-replacement benefits from the employer's insurer, without having to prove the employer was at fault. In Maine, the system is administered by the Maine Workers' Compensation Board (WCB), which also resolves disputes. Two deadlines are critical. You must tell your employer about the injury within 60 days of the date of injury (39-A M.R.S. 301), and a petition for benefits is generally barred unless filed within 2 years after the date of injury or the date your employer files a required first report of injury, whichever is later (39-A M.R.S. 306). After you report, your employer fills out a First Report of Injury (WCB-1), gives you a copy, and files it with the Board. The insurer then pays lost-time benefits within 14 days or sends a Notice of Controversy. If your claim is disputed, you can use the Board's troubleshooter and mediation, and file a petition such as a Petition for Award. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
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How do I file a workers' compensation claim in Maine?
First, tell your employer about the injury within 60 days of the date of injury (39-A M.R.S. 301). Your employer then fills out a First Report of Injury, gives you a copy, and files it with the Maine Workers' Compensation Board. The insurer pays lost-time benefits within 14 days or contests them.
How long do I have to file a workers' compensation claim in Maine?
Two deadlines matter. You must notify your employer within 60 days of the date of injury (39-A M.R.S. 301). Separately, a petition for benefits is generally barred unless filed within 2 years after the injury or your employer's required first report, whichever is later (39-A M.R.S. 306). Missing either can bar benefits.
What is the First Report of Injury in Maine?
The First Report of Injury (Form WCB-1) is the document that officially starts your Maine claim. After you report your injury, your employer must fill it out, give you a copy, and file it with the Maine Workers' Compensation Board. Keep your copy, since the filing date can affect your deadlines.
Who handles workers' compensation claims in Maine?
Maine's workers' compensation system is administered by the Maine Workers' Compensation Board (WCB). Your employer's insurer decides day to day whether to pay or contest benefits. If a dispute arises, the Board resolves it through its troubleshooter, mediation, and a formal hearing before an administrative law judge after you file a petition.
Maine workers' compensation claim law at a glance
In Maine, workers' compensation gives an employee who is injured on the job medical care and wage-replacement benefits from the employer's insurer, regardless of fault. The system is run by the Maine Workers' Compensation Board (WCB), which also resolves disputes. You must tell your employer about the injury within 60 days of the date of injury (39-A M.R.S. 301). Once notified, your employer fills out a First Report of Injury (WCB-1), gives you a copy, and files it with the Board. The insurer then pays lost-time benefits within 14 days or sends a Notice of Controversy. If your claim is contested, a petition for benefits is generally barred unless filed within 2 years after the date of injury or the date your employer files its required first report, whichever is later (39-A M.R.S. 306).
Filing a Maine workers' compensation claim after a warehouse back injury
Suppose you hurt your back lifting boxes at a Maine warehouse. You tell your supervisor and, that same week, give written notice of the injury, staying well inside the 60-day reporting deadline (39-A M.R.S. 301). Your employer fills out a First Report of Injury (WCB-1), gives you a copy, and files it with the Board. The insurer starts paying for treatment but later disputes your lost-time benefits and sends a Notice of Controversy. You use the Board's troubleshooter and mediation, and because a petition is generally barred after 2 years from the injury or your employer's first report, whichever is later (39-A M.R.S. 306), you file a Petition for Award with the Board. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
39-A M.R.S. 301 (60-day notice of injury to employer)
Provides that for claims with a date of injury on or after January 1, 2020, proceedings for compensation may not be maintained unless notice of the injury is given within 60 days after the date of injury.
39-A M.R.S. 303 (employer's first report of injury)
Requires the employer to file a first report of injury with the Maine Workers' Compensation Board when notified of a work injury, and to give the injured employee a copy. This filing date can affect the claim-filing period.
39-A M.R.S. 306 (limitation of actions)
Bars a petition unless filed within 2 years after the date of injury or the date the employer files a required first report of injury, whichever is later. If benefits are paid, the period runs 6 years from the most recent payment.
Maine Workers' Compensation Board, Injured Workers guidance
The Board's injured-worker page tells employees they must notify their employer within 60 days of the injury, explains that the employer files a First Report of Injury, and outlines the troubleshooter, mediation, and hearing process the Board provides.
Regional Variances
Maine workers' compensation claim rules at a glance
Reporting deadline
60 days from the date of injury to notify your employer, for injuries on or after January 1, 2020, under 39-A M.R.S. 301. Failing to report within 60 days can cost you your right to benefits.
Claim form
The First Report of Injury (Form WCB-1). Your employer fills it out, gives you a copy, and files it with the Maine Workers' Compensation Board after you report the injury.
Filing deadline
Generally 2 years after the date of injury or the date your employer files a required first report, whichever is later, to file a petition (39-A M.R.S. 306). Paid benefits extend it to 6 years from the last payment.
Who administers it
The Maine Workers' Compensation Board (WCB). It administers benefits and resolves disputes through its troubleshooter, mediation, and a formal hearing before an administrative law judge.
How disputes are filed
By filing a petition, such as a Petition for Award, with the Board when the insurer sends a Notice of Controversy or underpays. This must occur within the period set by 39-A M.R.S. 306.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Report the injury to your employer
Within 60 days of the injury days after startingTell your employer about the injury within 60 days of the date of injury for injuries on or after January 1, 2020 (39-A M.R.S. 301). Reporting late can cost you your right to benefits, so do it immediately and keep a dated written copy.
Get a copy of the First Report of Injury
After you report the injury days after startingYour employer must fill out a First Report of Injury (WCB-1), give you a copy, and file it with the Maine Workers' Compensation Board (39-A M.R.S. 303). If you do not receive a copy, request it in writing and note the date you asked.
Get medical care and keep records
Ongoing after the injury days after startingSeek treatment and keep every medical record, bill, and work-restriction note. For the first ten days you may see a provider your employer selects, then you may choose your own if you notify your employer. Documentation supports your claim if it is disputed.
Track the insurer's decision and deadlines
While the claim is pending days after startingThe insurer must pay lost-time benefits within 14 days or send a Notice of Controversy. Calendar the injury date and the date your employer filed the first report so you can protect the 2-year filing window under 39-A M.R.S. 306.
Use the Board's troubleshooter and mediation if disputed
As soon as benefits are denied or delayed days after startingIf the insurer denies, delays, or underpays benefits, contact the Maine Workers' Compensation Board. The Board offers a troubleshooter program and mediation, which can resolve many claims without a formal hearing. Keep a record of every contact and response.
File a petition if the dispute is not resolved
Within 2 years of the injury or the first report days after startingIf the claim stays disputed, file a petition, such as a Petition for Award, with the Board. It is generally barred unless filed within 2 years of the injury or your employer's required first report, whichever is later (39-A M.R.S. 306). Attorney review is available through DocDraft.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report the injury to your employer | Tell your employer about the injury within 60 days of the date of injury for injuries on or after January 1, 2020 (39-A M.R.S. 301). Reporting late can cost you your right to benefits, so do it immediately and keep a dated written copy. | - | Within 60 days of the injury |
| Get a copy of the First Report of Injury | Your employer must fill out a First Report of Injury (WCB-1), give you a copy, and file it with the Maine Workers' Compensation Board (39-A M.R.S. 303). If you do not receive a copy, request it in writing and note the date you asked. | - | After you report the injury |
| Get medical care and keep records | Seek treatment and keep every medical record, bill, and work-restriction note. For the first ten days you may see a provider your employer selects, then you may choose your own if you notify your employer. Documentation supports your claim if it is disputed. | - | Ongoing after the injury |
| Track the insurer's decision and deadlines | The insurer must pay lost-time benefits within 14 days or send a Notice of Controversy. Calendar the injury date and the date your employer filed the first report so you can protect the 2-year filing window under 39-A M.R.S. 306. | - | While the claim is pending |
| Use the Board's troubleshooter and mediation if disputed | If the insurer denies, delays, or underpays benefits, contact the Maine Workers' Compensation Board. The Board offers a troubleshooter program and mediation, which can resolve many claims without a formal hearing. Keep a record of every contact and response. | - | As soon as benefits are denied or delayed |
| File a petition if the dispute is not resolved | If the claim stays disputed, file a petition, such as a Petition for Award, with the Board. It is generally barred unless filed within 2 years of the injury or your employer's required first report, whichever is later (39-A M.R.S. 306). Attorney review is available through DocDraft. | - | Within 2 years of the injury or the first report |
Frequently Asked Questions
A workers' compensation claim is how an employee injured on the job, or made sick by work, obtains medical care and wage-replacement benefits from the employer's insurer, without proving fault. In Maine, you start it by reporting the injury to your employer, and the Maine Workers' Compensation Board resolves any disputes.
Reporting means telling your employer about the injury, which you must do within 60 days (39-A M.R.S. 301). Your employer then files the First Report of Injury. Filing a claim, if benefits are contested, means submitting a petition to the Board. Reporting comes first; a petition follows only if there is a dispute.
For injuries on or after January 1, 2020, you have 60 days from the date of injury to notify your employer (39-A M.R.S. 301). The Maine Workers' Compensation Board says you must tell your employer within 60 days, so report promptly to protect your benefits.
A petition brought under the Act is barred unless filed within 2 years after the date of injury or the date your employer files a required first report of injury, whichever is later (39-A M.R.S. 306). If benefits are paid, the period extends to 6 years from the most recent payment.
Reporting late can jeopardize your claim. Under 39-A M.R.S. 301, proceedings for compensation may not be maintained unless notice of the injury is given within 60 days after the date of injury for injuries on or after January 1, 2020. Report as soon as you can to protect your benefits.
The Maine Workers' Compensation Board resolves disputes. Day to day, your employer's insurer decides whether to pay or send a Notice of Controversy. If you disagree, the Board offers a troubleshooter and mediation, and unresolved disputes go to a formal hearing before an administrative law judge after you file a petition.
No. Maine workers' compensation is a no-fault system, so you do not have to prove your employer did anything wrong to receive benefits. You generally need to show the injury arose out of and in the course of your employment. In exchange, benefits are set by statute rather than a jury.
If the insurer denies or delays benefits, start with the Maine Workers' Compensation Board's troubleshooter and mediation. If that fails, file a petition, such as a Petition for Award, generally within 2 years of the injury or your employer's first report (39-A M.R.S. 306). Attorney review is available through DocDraft.
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