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

Talk with your employer and its insurance company. If that does not solve it, call an Industrial Commission program analyst at 1-800-950-2110 and ask about free, voluntary mediation with a neutral Commission mediator.

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 Idaho

Who decides: Idaho Industrial Commission (hearing officers/referees and the Commissioners)
First step: Talk with your employer and its insurance company. If that does not solve it, call an Industrial Commission program analyst at 1-800-950-2110 and ask about free, voluntary mediation with a neutral Commission mediator.
Form: Workers' Compensation Complaint (IC 1001)
Deadline: If a claim was made and nothing was paid, the Complaint must be filed within 1 year from the date the claim was made. If benefits were paid and stopped, within 5 years from the accident (or 1 year from the last income benefit payment, if that is later than 4 years after the accident). Otherwise the claim is forever barred.
Medical disagreements: To change doctors, send your employer or insurer a written request; if refused, file a Petition for Change of Physician with the Commission, which decides within 14 days after the employer responds. Other medical disputes can go to mediation or a Complaint.
: Claimant's Petition for Change of Physician
Mediation Request Form
Appealing the decision: Motion for reconsideration to the Commission within 20 days, and/or appeal to the Idaho Supreme Court within 42 days.

Contact an Industrial Commission program analyst (1-800-950-2110) and, if everyone agrees, request mediation.
To start the formal process, file a Workers' Compensation Complaint with the Commission and send a copy to the employer or insurance company.
Prepare your evidence (medical records, written questions called interrogatories), then file a Request for Calendaring to get a hearing date.
A hearing officer holds the hearing; a decision is usually issued within about three months after the case is fully presented.
Within 20 days after the decision you can ask the Commission to reconsider it.
You can appeal to the Idaho Supreme Court within 42 days of the decision.

Law: Idaho Code §§ 72-706, 72-718, 72-724

Source: iic.idaho.gov

Sources

The official sources for Idaho are listed on the Idaho 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