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

Call the Agency (1-888-396-5041 or wcinfo@michigan.gov) with questions. To have the dispute decided, file an Application for Mediation or Hearing (WC-104A) with the Agency.

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 Michigan

Who decides: Workers' Disability Compensation Agency: mediators and the Board of Magistrates
First step: Call the Agency (1-888-396-5041 or wcinfo@michigan.gov) with questions. To have the dispute decided, file an Application for Mediation or Hearing (WC-104A) with the Agency. If you are not represented by an attorney, your case is scheduled for mediation first.
Form: Application for Mediation or Hearing (WC-104A)
Deadline: File within 2 years of the injury (see claim deadline). Benefits cannot be paid for any period more than 2 years before the date you file the WC-104A.
Medical disagreements: If your employer refuses to provide medical care, contact the Agency. A claim only for medical benefits is scheduled for mediation. You must attend reasonable medical exams requested by your employer or its insurer.
Appealing the decision: Workers' Disability Compensation Appellate Commission (claim for review within 30 days), then the Michigan Court of Appeals.

File an Application for Mediation or Hearing (WC-104A) with the Agency. The Agency serves it on your employer and its insurer.
Your case goes to mediation if you have no attorney, the employer is uninsured, the claim is only for medical or vocational rehabilitation benefits, or the Agency thinks mediation may work.
If it does not settle, the case goes to a workers' compensation magistrate for a pretrial and then a hearing and written decision.
A party who disagrees can file a claim for review with the Workers' Disability Compensation Appellate Commission within 30 days after the magistrate's order is sent.

Law: MCL 418.381(2), 418.859a(1)

Source: michigan.gov

Sources

The official sources for Michigan are listed on the Michigan 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