Workers' comp deadlines in Alaska: tell your employer and file

Tell your employer in Alaska

Time limit

15 days

Counted from

The date of the injury, illness or death, or the date you later discover an injury or illness you believe is work-related

In writing?

Yes, in writing

If you are late

Late notice can cost you benefits or bar the claim. Late notice does not bar the claim if the employer, its local manager or the insurer knew of the injury and the Board finds they were not harmed by the late notice, if the Board excuses it for a satisfactory reason, or if the employer does not object at the first hearing.

Illness that develops over time

For an illness, the 15 days run from the date you discover the illness and believe it is caused by your work.

For injuries on or after January 1, 2025, report your work injury or illness to your supervisor in writing within 15 days. The notice must be in the format the Division prescribes (Report of Occupational Injury or Illness, Form 07-6101), state the time, place, nature and cause of the injury, authorize release of the related medical records, and be signed by you. For injuries before January 1, 2025, the deadline was 30 days.

Law: AS 23.30.100

Source: labor.alaska.gov

File your claim in Alaska

Time limit

2 years

Counted from

The date you know the nature of your disability and its relation to your work and are disabled (no later than 4 years after the injury, except for occupational disease); or 2 years after the last benefit payment if benefits were paid without an award; or 2 years after the insurer files a Controversion Notice denying benefits before you filed a claim

What to file

Workers' Compensation Claim, filed with the Division of Workers' Compensation (the Division serves it on the employer)

Claim form

Report of Occupational Injury or Illness

Who files it

You fill out and sign the employee section of the Report of Occupational Injury or Illness and give it to your employer within 15 days; keep a copy. Your employer completes its part and the insurer or claims administrator reports the injury to the Division. If benefits are denied or stopped, you file a Claim for Benefits with the Division.

What your employer must do

The employer reports the injury to its insurer, which reports to the Division. Within 21 days after the employer learns of the injury, the insurer must either begin paying benefits or send you and the Division a Controversion Notice explaining why it is denying benefits and how to file a claim.

When the insurer decides

The insurer has 21 days after the employer learns of the injury to start paying or to file a Controversion Notice. The first payment is due on the 14th day after the employer knows of the injury.

Illness that develops over time

For an occupational disease, the 2 years run from when you know the nature of the disability and its relation to your work and are disabled; the 4-year outer limit does not apply.

Reporting the injury is not the same as filing a claim. If you need the Board to decide a dispute, file a written Claim for Benefits with the Division. If the insurer denied benefits by a Controversion Notice before you filed a claim, file within 2 years from the date the notice was filed. If the insurer paid and then stopped disability benefits without a Controversion Notice, file within 2 years after the last payment. The general limit is 2 years after you know your disability is work-related, and no more than 4 years after the injury.

Source: Form 07-6106

Law: AS 23.30.105(a), 23.30.110

Law: AS 23.30.100, 23.30.155

Source: labor.alaska.gov

Waiting period and first payment in Alaska

Waiting period

No disability compensation is paid for the first 3 days of disability unless you are ultimately disabled more than 28 calendar days. Medical benefits are not subject to the waiting period.

Paid back for the waiting days

If you are disabled more than 28 days, the first 3 days are paid too.

First payment

The first payment is due 14 days after your employer knows of the injury, and then every 14 days. If a payment is not made within 7 days after it is due, the insurer must add 25% plus interest, unless it filed a timely Controversion Notice or the delay was beyond its control.

How often you are paid

Every 14 days

Law: AS 23.30.150, 23.30.155

Source: labor.alaska.gov

Deadline helper

Count your dates with the deadline helper · Write the notice to your employer