Workers' comp claim denied in Alabama: what to do next

If the carrier denies your claim, call the Workers' Compensation Division at 1-800-528-5166 and ask to speak to an examiner or an ombudsman.

Your employer's insurer, not the state, usually decides first. If they deny or delay, the free help listed here can explain your options.

Checked against official sources: October 31, 2026.

Deadlines are strict. If you are near one, call the state agency or free help today.

If your claim is denied or delayed in Alabama

Who decides: Circuit court (judge, without a jury except on the employer's willful-misconduct defense); free voluntary mediation by Workers' Compensation Division ombudsmen
First step: If the carrier denies your claim, call the Workers' Compensation Division at 1-800-528-5166 and ask to speak to an examiner or an ombudsman. Ombudsmen offer free mediation (a benefit review conference) if both you and your employer agree to take part. To have the claim decided, you must file a verified complaint in circuit court within the 2-year deadline.
Deadline: There is no separate deadline to contest a denial: the verified complaint must be filed within 2 years after the accident, or within 2 years after the last compensation payment.
Medical disagreements: Any party, including you or a health care provider, can ask for an ombudsman review of medical services or a medical mediation by calling the Division's Medical Section at 1-800-528-5166. The Division can get an opinion from an independent medical expert and issue a written, non-binding recommendation; an agreement signed at a medical mediation is binding. You or your attorney can also ask the court to decide.
Appealing the decision: Appeal from the circuit court to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals.

Call the Workers' Compensation Division (1-800-528-5166) and ask for an examiner or an ombudsman.
Free mediation (benefit review conference) with an ombudsman, if you and your employer both agree. An agreement signed there is binding unless the court sets it aside within 60 days for fraud, new evidence or other good cause. Mediation is voluntary and does not replace the court deadline.
File a verified complaint in the circuit court of the county where a lawsuit between you and your employer could be brought. The employer has 30 days after service to answer.
A circuit judge hears the case and issues a written decision.
Either side can appeal to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals.

Law: Ala. Code §§ 25-5-77(i), 25-5-80, 25-5-81, 25-5-88, 25-5-290, 25-5-292

Source: workforce.alabama.gov

Sources

The official sources for Alabama are listed on the Alabama page.

National rules that may also matter

Not covered by state workers' comp?

These federal programs and laws cover some groups of workers instead of, or in addition to, state workers' compensation. If one of them may apply to you, check its rules and deadlines too. They are different from your state's.

Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA): Civilian employees of the federal government, including Postal Service employees. Official page

Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (Longshore Act): Maritime workers such as longshore workers, harbor workers, ship repairers, shipbuilders and ship-breakers, hurt on navigable waters of the United States or on an adjoining pier, wharf, dry dock, terminal or other area used to load, unload, repair or build ships. Some groups are excluded. Official page
Longshore maximum and minimum for October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027 (fiscal year 2027): maximum $2,163.92 a week, minimum $540.98 a week.

Law: 33 U.S.C. 906(b); DOL Longshore NAWW table

Defense Base Act: Civilian employees working outside the United States on U.S. military bases or under a contract with the U.S. government for public works or national defense. Claims are handled by the Longshore program. Official page

Federal Black Lung Program: Coal miners who are totally disabled by black lung disease (pneumoconiosis) from coal mine work, and survivors of miners whose deaths were caused by it. Official page

Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program: Current or former employees of the U.S. Department of Energy and its contractors and subcontractors, and certain uranium miners, millers and ore transporters, who became ill from toxic exposures such as radiation, beryllium or silica at covered work sites, and their survivors. The program is set up by the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). Official page

Railroad workers (Federal Employers' Liability Act): Employees of railroads in interstate commerce. Instead of a workers' compensation claim, a federal law lets an injured railroad worker sue the railroad for damages caused by its negligence.

Seamen (Jones Act): A seaman injured in the course of employment may bring a lawsuit against the employer, with the right to a jury trial, under the same federal rules that apply to railroad workers.

National help

Your state workers' compensation agency answers questions about claims. Many have a free help line, an ombudsman or information officers for injured workers.

The Legal Services Corporation funds 129 nonprofit legal aid organizations in every state, D.C. and the territories. Enter your address on its website to find one near you. You can also look up legal information and free forms at LawHelp.org. Whether a local program handles workers' compensation cases varies.

LawHelp.org