[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/","headline":"How Does Workers\u2019 Comp Work in Alabama","name":"How Does Workers\u2019 Comp Work in Alabama","description":"Workers’ compensation insurance provides benefits to Alabama employees who get hurt or become ill while performing their job-related tasks. Injured and sick workers are entitled to medical treatment and weekly wage replacement benefits, among others.\u00a0 Is My Employer Required to Provide Workers’ Compensation? Companies with at least five...","datePublished":"2023-08-14","dateModified":"2026-05-26","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/author\/dothanalabamalawyer\/#Person","name":"Aaron Gartlan","url":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/author\/dothanalabamalawyer\/","identifier":6,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3d2cf6b9fa253242e9c4d79550a007842dd4738da75634f31cb576c537fb5159?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3d2cf6b9fa253242e9c4d79550a007842dd4738da75634f31cb576c537fb5159?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Gartlan Injury law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Gartlan-Logo-3Color-Horizontal-NoBackground-2.svg","url":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Gartlan-Logo-3Color-Horizontal-NoBackground-2.svg","width":0,"height":0}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/filling-up-workers-compensation-claim-form-300x200.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/filling-up-workers-compensation-claim-form-300x200.jpg","height":"200","width":"300"},"url":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/","video":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=54cpdBoYwZA#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=54cpdBoYwZA","name":"Work Injury Lawyers || Gartlan Injury Law","description":"ADDRESS:\nGartlan Injury Law\n408 S Foster St\nDothan, AL 36301\n\nPHONE:\n(334) 699-4625","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/54cpdBoYwZA\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/54cpdBoYwZA\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/54cpdBoYwZA\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/54cpdBoYwZA\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/54cpdBoYwZA\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2019-10-10T17:45:19+00:00","duration":"PT1M46S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/54cpdBoYwZA","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC_3-KhtACb15xdEWmYBKgFA#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC_3-KhtACb15xdEWmYBKgFA","name":"Gartlan Injury Law","description":"Attorney Aaron Gartlan and our team at Gartlan Injury Law are aggressive advocates who always have our clients' best interests at heart. We are dedicated to providing outstanding service to personal injury victims and their families in Dothan and throughout Alabama and to pursuing maximum compensation for their injuries and losses.\n\nADDRESS:\nGartlan Injury Law\n408 S Foster St\nDothan, AL 36301\n\nPHONE:\n(334) 699-4625","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/ytc\/AIdro_kBVfrIFk4Bsc_V6O0WlwZayeYFHPJcGO1Jg8bofguUsw=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=54cpdBoYwZA#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=54cpdBoYwZA#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=54cpdBoYwZA&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=54cpdBoYwZA#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":159}]]},"about":["Workers Compensation"],"wordCount":907,"articleBody":"Workers’ compensation insurance provides benefits to Alabama employees who get hurt or become ill while performing their job-related tasks. Injured and sick workers are entitled to medical treatment and weekly wage replacement benefits, among others.\u00a0Is My Employer Required to Provide Workers’ Compensation?Companies with at least five employees are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Employees can be part or full-time workers, members of an LLC, and officers of a corporation. However, contractors do not count for workers\u2019 compensation purposes.What Is Covered by Alabama Workers’ Compensation?Workers\u2019 compensation benefits cover a sick or injured employee\u2019s reasonable and necessary hospital, medical care, and surgical treatment, including:Doctor\u2019s office visitsSurgeons, anesthesiologists, and specialistsOvernight hospital staysChiropractic careCrutchesSurgical suppliesPrescriptionsMedical devicesThe employer can choose the physician their employee must see to receive coverage through the workers\u2019 compensation plan. If the worker isn\u2019t satisfied with the initial doctor, they can notify their employer and select someone else from a panel of four healthcare professionals the employer chooses. If an employee doesn’t accept the medical services the employer provides or refuses to comply with a reasonable examination request, they can lose their right to benefits.Weekly workers compensation benefits can also partially replace the wages a worker can’t earn after getting hurt or developing an illness at work.If an employee is killed on the job or their work-related illness or injury results in death, surviving family members could receive up to $6,500 toward burial expenses.Can My Employer Request That I Have a Medical Examination?An employer can request that an injured worker submit to an independent medical examination. The appointment is mandatory, and not showing up can lead to denied benefits.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCan My Employer Ask Me to Submit to a Drug and Alcohol Test?In Alabama, employers with a drug-free workplace program must test their employees in these scenarios:Upon reasonably suspecting drug useAs part of a routine fitness-for-duty medical examAfter an accident that causes lost work timeWhen the employee returns to their job after rehabilitation for testing positive after an administered drug testCan an Employer Refuse to File a Workers’ Comp Claim Just Because There Were No Witnesses?Just because no one saw it doesn\u2019t mean the accident didn\u2019t happen. Your employer must notify the Alabama Department of Labor after receiving a report of a workplace injury.Can I Receive Mileage Reimbursement for My Doctor Visits?Workers\u2019 comp reimburses mileage costs for traveling to and from rehabilitation and medical providers\u2019 appointments. The reimbursement rate typically changes on January first of each year.How Much Does Alabama Workers’ Compensation Pay?Weekly compensation benefits for an employee\u2019s injury or death are determined by multiplying 66 2\/3 percent by their average weekly earnings for the 52 weeks before the accident. However, there is a minimum and maximum amount that can be paid.Surviving dependents can recover death and burial benefits if an employee dies from a job-related injury or illness. Burial benefits pay up to $6,500. Other amounts paid depend on the number of dependents the employee has, including:No dependents \u2013 If a worker doesn’t have dependents when they die on the job, their employer must pay $7,500 to the deceased’s estate within 60 days of the death.One dependent \u2013 The deceased employee\u2019s average weekly earnings before the accident are multiplied by 50 percent if they have only one dependent.Two dependents \u2013 If there are two or more dependents, their average weekly earnings are multiplied by 66 2\/3 percent.Is There a Waiting Period Before I Start Receiving Workers’ Compensation Pay?The disability period begins on the fourth day an employee is out of work after a three-day waiting period. You should receive workers’ comp benefits within 30 days after they become due, unless there is a good reason for not paying.Is There a Statute of Limitations in Alabama for a Workers’ Compensation Claim?You must file your workers’ comp claim within two years of the injury date or two years from receiving your last benefit payment.What Do I Do If My Workers’ Compensation Claim Has Been Denied?After your claim has been denied, you can file a written appeal with the Hearings and Appeals Division of the Alabama Department of Labor. In most cases, this appeal must be filed within 15 days of the denial. If you\u2019re granted a hearing, you\u2019ll present your case to an Administrative Hearing Officer.If appealing doesn\u2019t resolve the issue, you could file a lawsuit in the district court to dispute your denied workers’ compensation claim. The two-year deadline for filing a workers\u2019 comp claim also applies here. However, the process can be complex and confusing for people unfamiliar with the legal requirements. You should consider hiring a skilled attorney to assist you.Contact an Alabama Workers’ Compensation LawyerAt Gartlan Injury Law, we take time to understand our client’s needs so we can create a strategy to achieve their goals. We want to resolve workers\u2019 comp claims efficiently so injured and sick workers receive the necessary benefits to avoid unnecessary financial hardships.When a workplace accident leaves you injured and unable to earn a living, let Gartlan Injury Law protect your rights. Call or contact us online for a free consultation if you are injured at work. We’re ready to begin your claim and pursue the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve.Visit Our Workers’ Compensation Law Offices[    {        \"@context\": \"http:\/\/schema.org\",        \"@type\": \"Answer\",        \"name\": \"Answer Question\",        \"text\": \"Companies with at least five employees are required to carry workers' compensation insurance. Employees can be part or full-time workers, members of an LLC, and officers of a corporation. However, contractors do not count for workers\u2019 compensation purposes.\",        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Answer\"    },    {        \"@context\": \"http:\/\/schema.org\",        \"@type\": \"Answer\",        \"name\": \"Answer Question1\",        \"text\": \"An employer can request that an injured worker submit to an independent medical examination. The appointment is mandatory, and not showing up can lead to denied benefits.\",        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Answer1\"    },    {        \"@context\": \"http:\/\/schema.org\",        \"@type\": \"Answer\",        \"name\": \"Answer Question2\",        \"text\": \"Just because no one saw it doesn\u2019t mean the accident didn\u2019t happen. Your employer must notify the Alabama Department of Labor after receiving a report of a workplace injury.\",        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Answer2\"    },    {        \"@context\": \"http:\/\/schema.org\",        \"@type\": \"Answer\",        \"name\": \"Answer Question3\",        \"text\": \"Workers\u2019 comp reimburses mileage costs for traveling to and from rehabilitation and medical providers\u2019 appointments. The reimbursement rate typically changes on January first of each year.\",        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Answer3\"    },    {        \"@context\": \"http:\/\/schema.org\",        \"@type\": \"Answer\",        \"name\": \"Answer Question4\",        \"text\": \"Weekly compensation benefits for an employee\u2019s injury or death are determined by multiplying 66 2\/3 percent by their average weekly earnings for the 52 weeks before the accident. However, there is a minimum and maximum amount that can be paid.\",        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Answer4\"    },    {        \"@context\": \"http:\/\/schema.org\",        \"@type\": \"Answer\",        \"text\": \"The disability period begins on the fourth day an employee is out of work after a three-day waiting period. You should receive workers' comp benefits within 30 days after they become due, unless there is a good reason for not paying.\",        \"name\": \"Answer Question5\",        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Answer5\"    },    {        \"@context\": \"http:\/\/schema.org\",        \"@type\": \"Answer\",        \"name\": \"Answer Question6\",        \"text\": \"You must file your workers' comp claim within two years of the injury date or two years from receiving your last benefit payment.\",        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Answer6\"    },    {        \"@context\": \"http:\/\/schema.org\",        \"@type\": \"Answer\",        \"text\": \"After your claim has been denied, you can file a written appeal with the Hearings and Appeals Division of the Alabama Department of Labor. In most cases, this appeal must be filed within 15 days of the denial. If you\u2019re granted a hearing, you\u2019ll present your case to an Administrative Hearing Officer.\",        \"name\": \"Answer Question7\",        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Answer7\"    },    {        \"@context\": \"http:\/\/schema.org\",        \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",        \"mainEntity\": [            {                \"@type\": \"Question\",                \"acceptedAnswer\": {                    \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Answer\"                },                \"name\": \"Is My Employer Required to Provide Workers' Compensation?\",                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Question\"            },            {                \"@type\": \"Question\",                \"name\": \"Can My Employer Request That I Have a Medical Examination?\",                \"acceptedAnswer\": {                    \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Answer1\"                },                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Question1\"            },            {                \"@type\": \"Question\",                \"name\": \"Can an Employer Refuse to File a Workers' Comp Claim Just Because There Were No Witnesses?\",                \"acceptedAnswer\": {                    \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Answer2\"                },                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Question2\"            },            {                \"@type\": \"Question\",                \"name\": \"Can I Receive Mileage Reimbursement for My Doctor Visits?\",                \"acceptedAnswer\": {                    \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Answer3\"                },                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Question3\"            },            {                \"@type\": \"Question\",                \"name\": \"Is There a Waiting Period Before I Start Receiving Workers' Compensation Pay?\",                \"acceptedAnswer\": {                    \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Answer5\"                },                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Question4\"            },            {                \"@type\": \"Question\",                \"acceptedAnswer\": {                    \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Answer6\"                },                \"name\": \"Is There a Statute of Limitations in Alabama for a Workers' Compensation Claim?\",                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Question5\"            },            {                \"@type\": \"Question\",                \"name\": \"What Do I Do If My Workers' Compensation Claim Has Been Denied?\",                \"acceptedAnswer\": {                    \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Answer7\"                },                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Question7\"            },            {                \"@type\": \"Question\",                \"name\": \"How Much Does Alabama Workers' Compensation Pay?\",                \"acceptedAnswer\": {                    \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Answer4\"                },                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#Thing\"            }        ],        \"name\": \"How does workers\u2019 comp work in Alabama\",        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#FAQPage\"    }]"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How Does Workers\u2019 Comp Work in Alabama","item":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/how-does-workers-comp-work\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]