Short answer: Besides telling your employer quickly, you have a deadline to file a formal workers' comp claim if benefits aren't paid. California generally allows 1 year, Florida 2 years from when you knew the injury was work-related, Minnesota 3 years after the injury report is filed (6 years at most), Washington and Ohio 1 year, and Iowa, Michigan and Nebraska 2 years. Benefit payments can extend some of these deadlines.
These are formal filing deadlines. For the earlier deadline to tell your employer, see workers' comp injury reporting deadlines by state.
The table
| State | Filing deadline | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | File proceedings for medical or disability benefits within 1 year | The year runs from the latest of: the date of injury, the end of a period of disability payments, or the last date medical benefits were provided | Cal. Lab. Code §5405 |
| Florida | File a petition for benefits within 2 years after you knew or should have known the injury was work-related, and you must have notified the employer under §440.185 | Payment of benefits or medical care tolls the deadline for 1 year from that payment | Fla. Stat. §440.19 |
| Idaho | Make a claim for compensation within 1 year after the accident (or within 1 year after a death) | Not required within that period if compensation was paid voluntarily or a hearing request was filed with the Industrial Commission | Idaho Code §72-701 |
| Iowa | An original proceeding for benefits must start within 2 years from the injury, or within 3 years from the last weekly compensation payment if weekly benefits were paid | The date of injury means when you knew or should have known the injury was work-related | Iowa Code §85.26 |
| Kentucky | File an application for adjustment of claim with the Department of Workers' Claims within 2 years of the accident (or of a death) | If income benefits were paid, within 2 years after they stop or 2 years after the accident, whichever is later. Cumulative trauma: 2 years from a physician's diagnosis, and no later than 5 years after the last exposure | KRS 342.185 |
| Michigan | A claim (oral or written to the employer, or written to the agency) within 2 years after the injury; for a death, within 2 years after death | Incapacity extends the time; the claim must be made within 2 years after the later of the injury, when disability shows up, or the last day of employment with that employer | MCL §418.381(1) |
| Minnesota | Employee actions to determine or recover compensation: 3 years after a written injury report is filed with the Department of Labor and Industry | Never more than 6 years from the date of the accident | Minn. Stat. §176.151 |
| Nebraska | Claims are barred unless, within 2 years after the accident, the parties agree on compensation or a petition is filed with the Workers' Compensation Court | If compensation payments were made, the 2 years run from the last payment | Neb. Rev. Stat. §48-137 |
| Ohio | Claims for the specific body parts injured are barred unless, within 1 year after the injury or death, written notice is made to the Industrial Commission or Bureau of Workers' Compensation (or another listed event occurs) | Listed events include the employer paying wages in lieu of compensation; self-insuring employers have additional triggers such as furnishing treatment | Ohio Rev. Code §4123.84 |
| Texas | File a claim for compensation with the Division of Workers' Compensation within 1 year of the injury | For an occupational disease, 1 year from when you knew or should have known it was related to your job. Missing the deadline can bar the claim unless an exception applies | Tex. Lab. Code §§409.003, 409.004 |
| Utah | Disability benefit claims are barred unless you file an application for hearing with the Division of Adjudication within 6 years of the accident (and prove entitlement within 12 years) | Submit medical expenses to the employer or carrier within 1 year of when they're incurred or when you knew they were work-related | Utah Code §34A-2-417 |
| Washington | An application must be filed within 1 year after the day of the injury | Limited exceptions are in RCW 51.28.055 (occupational disease) and 51.28.025(5) | RCW 51.28.050 |
We list only states where we read the official text ourselves in October 2026. A state that is missing is not covered here; check that state's statute or insurance department.
Protect your claim
- Write down key dates: injury, report to employer, last payment and last treatment.
- Ask for copies of the employer's injury report.
- Get help early from your state's workers' comp agency or an attorney if a claim is denied.
See the state insurance rules hub.
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Methodology
Each row was read from the official source linked in the Source column in October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. See also the state insurance rules hub.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a workers' comp claim in California?
Generally 1 year from the injury, the end of disability payments, or the last medical treatment provided, whichever is latest (Lab. Code §5405).
What is Florida's deadline?
A petition for benefits must be filed within 2 years after you knew or should have known the injury was work-related; payments toll it for 1 year (Fla. Stat. §440.19).
What is Minnesota's deadline?
3 years after the written injury report is filed with the state, but no more than 6 years from the accident (Minn. Stat. §176.151).
Alishahi Insurance · 439 N Canon Dr, Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 · (877) 711-4545 · CA License #4348151. General information only. Not legal, tax or financial advice, and not a coverage determination. Coverage depends on policy language and underwriting, and rules vary by state.