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

Contact the employer or insurer first (find the insurer with the court's Coverage Lookup or by calling the court's information line). You can then ask the court for free Informal Dispute Resolution (mediation), ask for the court's Independent Medical Examiner process for medical disagreements, or file a petition with the court.

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 Nebraska

Who decides

Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court

First step

Form

Petition (Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court)

Deadline

A petition must be filed within 2 years after the accident, or within 2 years after the last payment of compensation, unless you and your employer have agreed on the compensation. A Notice of Appeal must be filed within 30 days of the trial judge's decision.

Medical disagreements

Your employer or insurer may ask you to be examined by a doctor of its choice (not to treat you); unreasonably refusing can suspend benefits. For disagreements about your medical condition, either side can use the court's Independent Medical Examiner process. Disputes about changing doctors can go to free mediation, then to a judge.

Appealing the decision

Nebraska Court of Appeals.

Source: Notice of Appeal filed with the compensation court clerk in Lincoln within 30 days of the decision

Contact your employer or its insurer about the benefits you believe are due.
Request free Informal Dispute Resolution (mediation) by calling the court's information line or filing the IDR request form.
For medical disagreements, request an Independent Medical Examiner through the court.
File a petition with the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court; a judge decides the case after a trial.
If you disagree with the judge's final decision, file a Notice of Appeal (with a Request for Transcript and Request for Bill of Exceptions) with the compensation court clerk within 30 days; the appeal goes to the Nebraska Court of Appeals or Supreme Court.

Law: Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 48-137, 48-173, 48-182, 48-185

Source: newcc.gov

Sources

The official sources for Nebraska are listed on the Nebraska 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