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

Ask the claims adjuster why the claim was denied and whether more information can resolve it. If it is still denied, contact the Industrial Accidents Division's claims intake staff for free help ((801) 530-6800).

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 Utah

Who decides: Utah Labor Commission, Adjudication Division (administrative law judges); Commissioner or Appeals Board on review
First step: Ask the claims adjuster why the claim was denied and whether more information can resolve it. If it is still denied, contact the Industrial Accidents Division's claims intake staff for free help ((801) 530-6800). If that does not resolve it, file an Application for Hearing with the Adjudication Division; you can also ask for a Claims Resolution Conference.
Form: Application for Hearing – Industrial Accident Claim (Form 001)
Deadline: An Application for Hearing for disability compensation must be filed no later than 6 years from the date of the accident (1 year from the death for death benefits).
Medical disagreements: Medical bills must be submitted to the employer or carrier within 1 year of the treatment date (or of learning the treatment is related to the injury). Disputes about medical benefits go through the same Application for Hearing process.
: Application for Hearing – Occupational Disease Claim (Form 026)
Summary of Medical Record – Industrial Accident (Form 113a)
Appealing the decision: Motion for review within 30 days to the Commissioner or the Appeals Board, then further appeal within 30 days under the Administrative Procedures Act.

File an Application for Hearing with the medical provider list, a medical records release and a summary of medical records or copies of the records.
The Division sends the application to your employer and its carrier, which must file an Answer within 30 days. You may ask for a Claims Resolution Conference to try to settle the dispute.
A formal hearing is scheduled no sooner than 120 days after the Answer is due. The judge issues a decision, normally within 60 days after the hearing.
A party who disagrees can file a motion for review with the Adjudication Division within 30 days of the decision; the Commissioner (or the Appeals Board, if requested) decides it.

Law: Utah Code §§ 34A-2-417, 34A-2-801

Source: laborcommission.utah.gov

Sources

The official sources for Utah are listed on the Utah 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