Workers' compensation is a state-administered, no-fault insurance program that provides medical care and wage replacement benefits to employees who are injured on the job or develop an occupational illness as a result of their work. Employers are required by law in most states to carry workers' compensation insurance or qualify as self-insured, and the program eliminates the need for an injured worker to prove employer negligence in order to receive benefits.

There are 52 states with Workers Compensation locations across the United States. Each state operates its own workers' compensation system — administered by a state labor agency, industrial commission, or workers' compensation board — with its own benefit rates, claim deadlines, dispute resolution procedures, and approved medical provider networks.

Workers Compensation in the United States

Browsing by state allows you to find your state's workers' compensation administrative office, understand the specific claim filing process in your jurisdiction, locate dispute resolution hearing offices, and access forms and resources published by your state's workers' comp agency.

Common Services

  • Workers' compensation claim filing assistance, status inquiries, and claims tracking
  • Medical treatment authorization, approved provider directories, and independent medical exam coordination
  • Formal dispute resolution, mediation, hearings, and appeals before administrative law judges
  • Employer workers' compensation coverage verification and insurance compliance enforcement

Visitor tip: If you are injured at work, report the injury to your employer in writing as soon as possible and seek medical attention from an approved provider. Most states have strict deadlines — sometimes as short as 30 to 90 days — for reporting an injury and filing a claim. Missing these deadlines can result in loss of benefits.

For official information, visit U.S. Department of Labor — Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.

Workers Compensation by State
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About Workers Compensation

Workers' compensation programs in the United States are governed entirely at the state level — unlike many other safety-net programs, there is no federal workers' compensation law covering private-sector employees. Each state legislature sets the rules for benefit levels, waiting periods, and maximum duration of benefits. The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) separately administers workers' comp programs for specific categories of federal employees, including postal workers, longshore workers, and energy employees with occupational illnesses.

Common Services

  • Temporary total disability (TTD) and temporary partial disability (TPD) wage replacement benefit calculation
  • Permanent impairment ratings and permanent disability settlement negotiations
  • Vocational rehabilitation and return-to-work program coordination
  • Workers' compensation fraud reporting and anti-fraud investigation referrals

Injured workers who disagree with a workers' compensation insurance carrier's decision on their claim — such as a denial or reduction of benefits — have the right to dispute that decision through the state's workers' compensation appeal process. Free legal assistance may be available through the state's workers' comp ombudsman program or legal aid organizations for workers who cannot afford an attorney.

For official information, visit U.S. Department of Labor — Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.