Filing a Workers' Comp Claim in Indiana

Report any accident to your employer (boss, foreman or supervisor) immediately. If you wait more than 30 days, your claim may be denied.

If there is a dispute, an Application for Adjustment of Claim (State Form 29109) must be filed with the Board within two years of the date of injury, or within two years after the last compensation was paid. If the deadline is close, send the application by certified mail; otherwise the filing date is the date the Board receives it.

Report the injury to your employer; the employer files the First Report of Injury (State Form 34401). If you have trouble getting benefits, first talk with the insurer or self-insured employer. If that fails, file a Request for Assistance (State Form 45442) with the Board's ombudsman division for informal dispute resolution or mediation. If that does not resolve the dispute, file an Application for Adjustment of Claim (State Form 29109) to start the formal hearing process. If the insurer plans to stop your benefits and you disagree, notify the Board and employer in writing within seven days of receiving the notice.

A formal claim is assigned to a Single Hearing Member of the Board, who holds a hearing and issues an award. A party dissatisfied with the award may file an Application for Review by Full Board (State Form 1042) within 30 days of the date of the award; the full Board hears legal arguments (not a new hearing), usually within three months. Further appeals go to the Indiana Court of Appeals and then the Indiana Supreme Court.

In Indiana the employer's First Report of Injury is filed electronically with the Worker's Compensation Board (the Board offers a "Confirm First Report Filing" lookup). If a claim is disputed, a worker can ask the Board for informal help with a Request for Assistance (State Form 45442) or start the formal hearing process with an Application for Adjustment of Claim (State Form 29109); disputed claims can be searched online. Board switchboard: (317) 233-3009.