How to File a Workers' Compensation Claim in Utah
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Utah · 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 Utah, the system is administered by the Utah Labor Commission through its Division of Industrial Accidents, and contested claims are decided by the Labor Commission's Division of Adjudication. Two deadlines are critical. You must give your employer, or the division, notice of the injury within 180 days of the day it occurs (Utah Code 34A-2-407), or your claim can be barred. Separately, you have up to six years from the date of the accident to file an Application for Hearing with the Division of Adjudication (Utah Code 34A-2-417), and you must be able to prove your entitlement within twelve years. After you report the injury, your employer reports the claim to its insurance carrier, which files the Employer's First Report of Injury (Form 122) with the Industrial Accidents Division. The carrier decides whether to accept the claim and pay benefits, and if it denies or delays them you file an Application for Hearing (Form 001 for an industrial accident) with the Division of Adjudication. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
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Where are you after your work injury?
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How do I file a workers' compensation claim in Utah?
First, report your injury to your employer as soon as possible, and no later than 180 days after it occurs (Utah Code 34A-2-407). Your employer reports the claim to its insurer, which decides whether to pay benefits. If the claim is denied, you file an Application for Hearing.
How long do I have to file a workers' compensation claim in Utah?
Two deadlines matter. You must notify your employer or the Labor Commission within 180 days of the injury (Utah Code 34A-2-407). Separately, you have up to six years from the date of the accident to file an Application for Hearing with the Division of Adjudication (Utah Code 34A-2-417). Missing either can bar benefits.
What form do I file for a workers' compensation claim in Utah?
After you report the injury, your employer files the Employer's First Report of Injury (Form 122) with its insurer and the Industrial Accidents Division. You do not file a separate employee claim form to open the claim. If the insurer denies benefits, you file an Application for Hearing to start a dispute.
Who handles workers' compensation claims in Utah?
Utah's workers' compensation system is administered by the Utah Labor Commission's Division of Industrial Accidents. Your employer's insurance carrier investigates your claim and decides whether to pay benefits day to day. If a dispute arises, the Labor Commission's Division of Adjudication decides it after you file an Application for Hearing.
Utah workers' compensation claim law at a glance
In Utah, workers' compensation gives an employee injured on the job medical care and wage-replacement benefits from the employer's insurer, regardless of fault. The system is run by the Utah Labor Commission's Division of Industrial Accidents, and contested claims are decided by its Division of Adjudication. You must notify your employer or the Labor Commission of the injury within 180 days of the day it occurs (Utah Code 34A-2-407), or your claim can be barred. Once you report, your employer files the Employer's First Report of Injury (Form 122) with its insurer. If the insurer denies benefits, you have up to six years from the date of the accident to file an Application for Hearing with the Division of Adjudication (Utah Code 34A-2-417).
Filing a Utah workers' compensation claim after a construction knee injury
Suppose you tear your knee on a Utah construction site. You tell your supervisor the same day and put the injury in writing, staying well inside the 180-day reporting deadline (Utah Code 34A-2-407). Your employer reports the claim to its insurer, which files the Employer's First Report of Injury (Form 122) with the Industrial Accidents Division. The carrier pays for early treatment but later denies your wage-replacement benefits, claiming the injury is not work-related. Because you have up to six years from the date of the accident (Utah Code 34A-2-417), you file an Application for Hearing with the Division of Adjudication and attach your medical records. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
Utah Code 34A-2-407 (180-day notice of injury to employer or division)
Provides that an employee is barred for any claim of benefits arising from an injury if the employee fails to notify the employer or the division, and that the employee shall provide that notice within 180 days after the day on which the injury occurs.
Utah Code 34A-2-417 (six-year time limit to file an application for hearing)
Provides that a disability-benefits claim is barred unless the employee files an application for hearing with the Division of Adjudication no later than six years from the date of the accident, and can meet the burden of proving entitlement no later than twelve years from the date of the accident.
Utah Labor Commission, Division of Industrial Accidents, Injured Workers
The Labor Commission's injured-worker page tells employees to report an injury to their employer immediately, warns that failing to report within 180 days may disqualify them from benefits, explains the Employer's First Report of Injury (Form 122), and describes filing an Application for Hearing with the Adjudication Division.
Regional Variances
Utah workers' compensation claim rules at a glance
Reporting deadline
180 days after the day the injury occurs to notify your employer or the Industrial Accidents Division, under Utah Code 34A-2-407. Failing to report within 180 days may disqualify you from benefits.
Injury report form
The Employer's First Report of Injury or Illness (Form 122). After you report, your employer reports the claim to its insurer, which files Form 122 with the Industrial Accidents Division. You do not file a separate employee claim form to open the claim.
Filing deadline
Up to six years from the date of the accident to file an Application for Hearing with the Division of Adjudication (Utah Code 34A-2-417). You must also be able to prove entitlement to the benefits claimed within twelve years.
Who administers it
The Utah Labor Commission's Division of Industrial Accidents administers the claim process. Contested claims are decided by the Labor Commission's Division of Adjudication.
How disputes are filed
By filing an Application for Hearing (Form 001 for an industrial accident, Form 026 for an occupational disease) with the Division of Adjudication when the insurer denies, delays, or underpays the claim, within the six-year period under Utah Code 34A-2-417.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Report the injury to your employer
Within 180 days of the injury days after startingGive your employer, or the Industrial Accidents Division, notice of the injury within 180 days of the day it occurs (Utah Code 34A-2-407). The Labor Commission warns that reporting late may disqualify you from benefits, so do this immediately and keep a dated copy.
Confirm the First Report of Injury is filed
Within days of reporting days after startingYour employer reports the claim to its insurer, which files the Employer's First Report of Injury (Form 122) with the Industrial Accidents Division. Ask your employer for a copy and confirm the insurer received it, so your claim is properly on record.
Get medical care and keep records
Ongoing after the injury days after startingSeek treatment for your injury and keep every medical record, bill, and letter from the insurer. Documenting the diagnosis, treatment dates, and any work restrictions supports your claim if the carrier later disputes whether the injury is work-related or the benefits owed.
Track the insurer's decision and deadlines
While the claim is pending days after startingThe insurance carrier will accept, deny, or delay your claim. Keep proof of what you send, watch for any denial letter, and note the date of the accident so you can protect the six-year filing window under Utah Code 34A-2-417.
File an Application for Hearing if disputed
Within six years of the accident days after startingIf the claim is denied, delayed, or underpaid, file an Application for Hearing (Form 001 for an industrial accident) with the Division of Adjudication within six years of the date of the accident (Utah Code 34A-2-417). File early to protect your rights.
Consider attorney review of your claim
Before key deadlines days after startingUtah's deadlines and burden-of-proof rules are strict. Keep your injury date, notice records, and medical evidence organized, and calendar both the 180-day and six-year deadlines. Attorney review of your claim and any Application for Hearing is available through DocDraft.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report the injury to your employer | Give your employer, or the Industrial Accidents Division, notice of the injury within 180 days of the day it occurs (Utah Code 34A-2-407). The Labor Commission warns that reporting late may disqualify you from benefits, so do this immediately and keep a dated copy. | - | Within 180 days of the injury |
| Confirm the First Report of Injury is filed | Your employer reports the claim to its insurer, which files the Employer's First Report of Injury (Form 122) with the Industrial Accidents Division. Ask your employer for a copy and confirm the insurer received it, so your claim is properly on record. | - | Within days of reporting |
| Get medical care and keep records | Seek treatment for your injury and keep every medical record, bill, and letter from the insurer. Documenting the diagnosis, treatment dates, and any work restrictions supports your claim if the carrier later disputes whether the injury is work-related or the benefits owed. | - | Ongoing after the injury |
| Track the insurer's decision and deadlines | The insurance carrier will accept, deny, or delay your claim. Keep proof of what you send, watch for any denial letter, and note the date of the accident so you can protect the six-year filing window under Utah Code 34A-2-417. | - | While the claim is pending |
| File an Application for Hearing if disputed | If the claim is denied, delayed, or underpaid, file an Application for Hearing (Form 001 for an industrial accident) with the Division of Adjudication within six years of the date of the accident (Utah Code 34A-2-417). File early to protect your rights. | - | Within six years of the accident |
| Consider attorney review of your claim | Utah's deadlines and burden-of-proof rules are strict. Keep your injury date, notice records, and medical evidence organized, and calendar both the 180-day and six-year deadlines. Attorney review of your claim and any Application for Hearing is available through DocDraft. | - | Before key deadlines |
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 Utah, the Labor Commission's Division of Industrial Accidents administers the process, and the Division of Adjudication decides disputed claims.
Reporting means giving your employer or the Labor Commission notice of the injury, which you must do within 180 days (Utah Code 34A-2-407). Filing usually refers to the later step of filing an Application for Hearing with the Division of Adjudication when your claim is denied. Reporting comes first.
You have 180 days from the day the injury occurs to notify your employer or the Industrial Accidents Division (Utah Code 34A-2-407). The Labor Commission warns that if you fail to report within 180 days, you may be disqualified from receiving workers' compensation benefits, so report immediately.
You generally have six years from the date of the accident to file an Application for Hearing with the Division of Adjudication (Utah Code 34A-2-417). You must also be able to prove your entitlement to the benefits claimed within twelve years of the accident. Missing the six-year deadline can bar your claim.
Reporting after 180 days can end your claim. Utah Code 34A-2-407 says an employee is barred for any claim of benefits if the employee fails to notify the employer or the division within 180 days of the injury. The Labor Commission warns you may be disqualified from benefits.
Day to day, your employer's insurance carrier decides whether to accept your claim and pay benefits. If you disagree, the Utah Labor Commission's Division of Adjudication resolves the dispute after you file an Application for Hearing. The Division of Industrial Accidents also helps educate workers and resolve claim problems.
No. Utah 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 your benefits, you can take the claim to the Division of Adjudication by filing an Application for Hearing (Form 001 for an industrial accident). You generally must do so within six years of the accident (Utah Code 34A-2-417). Attorney review is available through DocDraft.
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