Wyoming Workers Comp Claims: Eligibility, Filing and Appeals

The Wyoming's Workers Compensation program is administered by the Workers' Safety and Compensation Division. In the state there no waivers permitted, and all employers that meet the criteria for belonging to Workers Compensation are required to provide coverage for their employees. It is funded entirely through the state and no private insurance carriers, groups or self-insured employers are allowed. Agricultural workers in the state, provided they are working for more than 6 months in farming are also covered. Domestic employees are exempt from the program. Claims can be filed after 3 days with retroactive compensation available after 8 days missed from work due to the injury. Employees receiving unemployment benefits cannot also receive Workers Compensation benefits.

Common Covered Work Related Injuries

In Wyoming any work related accident that causes any type of injury while performing a work related task can be grounds for filing a workers compensation claim. Medical claims and treatment will be compensated by Workers Compensation only if they are directly related to the injury sustained at work, not an existing medical condition that was determined at the of the accident or work related injury.

How to File a Wyoming Workers Compensation Claim

All claims will need to be supported by medical evidence and other related documentation. Each individual making a claim will receive a claim number which must be displayed in the correct spot on all documentation. Medical expenses must be submitted directly from the medical service provider, not by the employee or the employer. The employee must cooperate with the Worker's Safety and Compensation Division in their investigation and provide all requested documentation to process the claim.

Workers Compensation Claim Denials

As with most forms, typically the claim denials are due to incorrect or incomplete data or information on the forms. The vast majority of these types of claim denials are corrected by the employee or the medical service provider supplying the correct documentation. The employer may also object to the claim, resulting in a denial until a review is completed.

Appealing a Wyoming Workers Compensation Denial

There is an appeals process where the case is reviewed if it is contested or denied. During this time there may be interim benefits awarded for a period not to exceed three months. In contested hearings the hearings officer may appoint an attorney for your representation if you do not retain an attorney prior to the case being reviewed.

Collecting Wyoming Workers Compensation Benefits

Wyoming Workers Compensation benefits are paid based on Statewide Average Monthly Wage at the time of the injury. Different types of injuries result in different lengths of payments as well as additional benefits. The percentage in most cases of the Statewide Average Monthly Wage is 66 and 2/3  and for temporary total disability it cannot continue for more than 24 months.

Hiring a Wyoming Workers Compensation Lawyer

In a contested Workers Compensation case in the state of Wyoming an attorney will either be appointed or can be hired privately for your legal representation. They will handle preparation for the hearing as well as provide information on the process. At the conclusion of the hearing the hearing officer may appoint reasonable fees to the attorney based on the individual facts.

Wyoming Workers Compensation Office Locations

Wyoming Workers' Safety and Compensation Division
1510 E. Pershing Blvd.
Cheyenne, WY  82002

District One Office
2523 Garfield, Suite C
Laramie, WY 82070

District Four Office
2451 Foothill Blvd
White Mountain Mall
Rock Springs, WY 82901