Need another category? Click here or call us at (866) 345-6784.

Workers Compensation in Idaho

A workplace injury changes everything. Medical bills start piling up, and you’re left wondering how to support yourself or your family while you recover.

Workers’ compensation system is a vital safety net in situations like these. It covers medical expenses, lost wages, and even job retraining to help you get back on your feet.

But securing these benefits isn’t always straightforward. A missed step in the claims process or a denial from your employer’s insurer could leave you scrambling during an already difficult time.

This guide walks you through Idaho’s workers’ compensation system, explains the steps you need to take, and highlights how an attorney can make the process smoother and protect your rights.

Workers Compensation Statistics in Idaho?

Workplace injuries affect thousands of Idaho workers each year. In 2023, private-sector employers in the state reported approximately 16,700 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses, with an incidence rate of 2.6 cases per 100 full-time workers—just above the national average of 2.4 cases.

Certain industries in Idaho are more prone to accidents than others:

  • Agriculture and Forestry: High-risk jobs often involve heavy equipment or repetitive tasks.
  • Construction: With an injury rate of 3.9 cases per 100 workers, falls and equipment-related injuries are common.
  • Manufacturing: An incidence rate of 3.4 cases per 100 employees, often due to repetitive strain and machinery-related accidents.

Common workplace injuries in Idaho include:

  • Overexertion: From lifting or moving heavy objects.
  • Slip-and-Fall Incidents: A leading cause of fractures and sprains.
  • Equipment Injuries: Resulting from malfunctioning or improperly handled machinery.

How Does Workers Comp Work in Idaho?

Idaho’s workers’ compensation system ensures that employees injured on the job receive the medical and financial support they need. To qualify, the injury or illness must arise directly from your job duties or workplace conditions. For example, a fall at a construction site or repetitive motion injuries from factory work would generally be covered.

States typically require most employers to have workers’ compensation insurance. Idaho law says that every business with one or more employees must purchase a plan. The available benefits depend on which is approved: temporary total, permanent total, or permanent partial disability.

No matter which one receives approval, payments are based on 67 percent of your weekly average wage. Other aspects of the service include rehabilitation costs, reimbursement for medical bills, and death benefits.

Get Medical Attention

Seeking medical care after a workplace injury isn’t just important for your health—it’s critical for your workers’ compensation claim. Delaying treatment can make it harder to prove that your injury is job-related.

In Idaho, your employer has the right to choose the healthcare provider for your initial treatment. If you’re unhappy with the care you receive, you can request a change by contacting the Idaho Industrial Commission.

Even if the injury seems minor, getting a thorough medical evaluation is essential. Some conditions, such as repetitive motion injuries or illnesses caused by exposure to hazardous substances, may not show immediate symptoms but can worsen over time.

Keep records of every treatment, prescription, and follow-up visit. These documents will play a crucial role if your claim faces challenges or you need additional benefits later.

File a First Report of Injury

Once you’ve received medical care, your next step is to report the injury to your employer. Idaho law requires workers to notify their employer within 60 days of the incident. However, reporting as soon as possible can prevent delays in the claims process.

Your employer is responsible for filing a First Report of Injury or Illness with their insurance carrier and the Idaho Industrial Commission. This document provides key details about your injury, such as:

  • The date, time, and location of the incident.
  • A description of the circumstances leading to the injury.
  • Information about the medical care you’ve received so far.

The insurance company will use this information to determine whether your claim is valid. Be prepared to answer questions or provide additional documentation during this process.

Idaho’s statute of limitations for filing a workers’ compensation claim is one year from the date of injury. Failing to act within this timeframe could forfeit your right to benefits, so don’t delay.

If an employee does not file for additional benefits within one year of receiving the last payment, that may result in a denial of the claim.

Why You Should Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

While Idaho’s workers’ compensation system is designed to help employees, the process isn’t always simple. Employers or insurers may dispute whether your injury is work-related, challenge the extent of your disability, or delay benefit payments.

If your claim is denied or if benefits are prematurely terminated, an attorney can help you file an appeal and strengthen your case.

Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer in Idaho

Your health and well-being need to come first. If you are hurt while working or find out an illness you are suffering is the result of your job, you will want to seek compensation.

We can connect you with a local attorney or one across Idaho state lines.

Submit a request online or call us at (866) 345-6784 to find a workers’ compensation lawyer today!

About the Author

Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.

With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.

Is there another chapter of Idaho law that you would like to look into? Then check out more of our site!

Auto Accident Injury

Bankruptcy

Business Law

Child Birth Injury

Child Custody

Child Support

Consumer Law

Copyright Law

Criminal Defense

Debt Collector Harassment

Divorce Law

DUI Law

Employment Law

Eviction Law

Foreclosure Defense

Identity Theft

Immigration Law

Insurance Claims

Lemon Law

Medical Malpractice

Nursing Home Abuse

Patent Law

Personal Injury Law

Power of Attorney

Probate Law

Property Disputes

Real Estate Law

Social Security Disability

Tax Law

Traffic Law

Vaccination Injury

Workplace Discrimination

Wrongful Termination

Wills and Trusts

How It All Works

Call us or answer the questions on this site. Your category, location, and additional information will help us connect you to a legal professional and we’ll send you the results instantly.

Which Areas of Law?

We have attorneys in over 20 legal categories to choose from.

How Much Does This Cost?

We don’t charge you to be connected. Some legal categories require upfront fees while others do not. The legal professional will determine this with you before you commit to anything.