[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/statute-of-limitations-for-workers-compensation-in-alabama\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/statute-of-limitations-for-workers-compensation-in-alabama\/","headline":"What Is the Timeline for a Workers\u2019 Comp Claim in AL?","name":"What Is the Timeline for a Workers\u2019 Comp Claim in AL?","description":"In Alabama, injured workers and their employers must comply with specific deadlines to secure workers\u2019 compensation benefits. Awareness of the timeline for a workers\u2019 comp claim in AL is critical to receiving the financial support you need while you cannot work. An attorney from Gartlan Injury Law can...","datePublished":"2024-08-28","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\/2024\/08\/claim-workers-comp.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/claim-workers-comp.jpg","height":667,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/statute-of-limitations-for-workers-compensation-in-alabama\/","video":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=piiNEmRXVew#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=piiNEmRXVew","name":"What Should I Do If I\u2019ve Been Injured on The Job in Alabama - Gartlan Injury Law","description":"Visit our website to learn more about how we can help and get in touch: https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/what-to-do-if-injured-on-job\/\n\nGartlan Injury Law\n408 S Foster St\nDothan, AL 36301\n(334) 699-4625\nhttps:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/piiNEmRXVew\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/piiNEmRXVew\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/piiNEmRXVew\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/piiNEmRXVew\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/piiNEmRXVew\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2024-05-28T13:43:28+00:00","duration":"PT1M50S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/piiNEmRXVew","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=piiNEmRXVew#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=piiNEmRXVew#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=piiNEmRXVew&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=piiNEmRXVew#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":18}]]},"about":["Workers Compensation"],"wordCount":959,"articleBody":"In Alabama, injured workers and their employers must comply with specific deadlines to secure workers\u2019 compensation benefits. Awareness of the timeline for a workers\u2019 comp claim in AL is critical to receiving the financial support you need while you cannot work. An attorney from Gartlan Injury Law can help prepare your claim to meet all workers\u2019 compensation deadlines.How Soon Must an Employee Notify Their Employer of an Injury?If you are injured in the workplace, you must report an injury or illness immediately. Specifically, notice must be given to the employer within five days.\ufeffHow Soon Must Employers Submit a First Report of Injury to the Workers\u2019 Compensation Commission?Your employer must submit a First Report of Injury form to the Alabama Workers\u2019 Compensation Commission within 15 days of the employee\u2019s injury. This form notifies the employer\u2019s workers\u2019 compensation provider of the injury or illness.What is the Statute of Limitations for an Alabama Workers’ Comp Claim?The statute of limitations for a workers\u2019 compensation claim sets the deadline for filing. In Alabama, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim or two years from the date of your last payment, whichever is greater. If you miss the deadline, your claim will likely be barred. For this reason, it\u2019s wise to get an attorney involved as soon as possible in the workers\u2019 compensation process.How Soon Must the Workers’ Comp Insurance Provider Begin Making Their Payments to the Injured Employee?Compensation must begin on the fourth day after the disability. However, this waiting period may not affect the total compensation you recover. If the disability from the injury exists for at least 21 days, compensation for the first three days after the injury is added and payable to the injured employee, with the first installment due after the first 21 days.It\u2019s important to understand that you are not automatically eligible for benefits because you got injured at work. First and foremost, you must prove the injury is work-related and occurred in the course of your employment. Insurers often reject claims for this reason.Other circumstances may make you ineligible for workers\u2019 compensation. Examples of situations that could preclude you from benefits include:An accident due to willful misconduct or drug\/alcohol intoxicationAn injury caused by an intentional attempt to harm or kill yourselfAn injury resulting from the act of another person or fellow employee for non-work reasonsAccidents caused a failure or refusal to use safety equipment provided by your employerInjuries resulting from breaking an employer\u2019s rules or regulationsAn accident caused by a refusal or willful neglect to perform a statutory dutyOther common explanations for denials include:Lying about the severity of the workplace injuryFailing to follow treatment instructionsPre-existing conditionsIf you believe your employer\u2019s workers\u2019 compensation provider unfairly denied your claim, consult a knowledgeable attorney immediately to learn your legal options.How Long Does an Employee Have to Appeal a Workers’ Comp Denial?You have an incredibly short deadline to appeal a workers\u2019 compensation denial in Alabama. If you received the denial by mail, you have 15 days. If the denial came in person, you have only seven days.Unlike many other states, Alabama does not have an administrative system in place to handle workers\u2019 comp appeals. That means claimants must contest their denial of workers\u2019 comp benefits in state court.You can try contacting the state Workers\u2019 Compensation Ombudsman Program, which may be able to resolve some disputes through mediation. However, the results of mediation are not binding and are contingent upon both parties agreeing to the process. Many injured workers find themselves taking their cases to court.If you are considering filing a lawsuit to appeal a denial, we strongly encourage you to consult an Alabama workers\u2019 compensation attorney. Navigating formal proceedings and adhering to legal procedures will be difficult without assistance from an experienced lawyer.How Long Does It Take to Settle a Workers’ Comp Case in Alabama?After you file your claim, you may wonder how long it takes to settle a workers’ comp case. There is no set time frame, and the process may be lengthy. Certain factors can delay the process, including the severity of your injuries and whether you develop a permanent disability.How Can an Alabama Workers’ Compensation Attorney Help Expedite My Claim?Hiring a workers\u2019 comp attorney may expedite the process and result in a more favorable outcome. Lawyers know which forms must be filed, how to avoid common pitfalls and obstacles in obtaining workers\u2019 compensation benefits, and the best way to handle negotiations with the insurance company. While these talents cannot guarantee a quicker settlement, they can smooth the process.Hiring an attorney to keep the case moving can also avoid unnecessary delays. How do delays benefit insurance companies? First, a delay prolongs the time until an insurer must pay the benefits you deserve. Second, a delay can also affect your bargaining position in that you may be willing to accept a lower settlement offer when you desperately need benefits. An attorney can advocate fiercely and hold adjusters accountable for making flimsy excuses or taking too long to evaluate your claim.Contact an Alabama Workers’ Compensation LawyerWere you injured at work? If you are suffering from physical injuries and enduring financial strain due to lost wages or a claim denial, call Gartlan Injury Law. Our skilled workers\u2019 comp attorneys stand ready to guide you throughout the claims process. As your legal champions, we will protect your rights and pursue maximum compensation for you. Contact us today for a free consultation and learn more about what our legal team can do for you.Visit Our Alabama Workers Compensation Law Offices "},{"@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":"What Is the Timeline for a Workers\u2019 Comp Claim in AL?","item":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/statute-of-limitations-for-workers-compensation-in-alabama\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]