Kentucky Workers Comp Guide
Filing a workers comp claim in Kentucky follows a specific sequence, and missing a step early on can slow down benefits you're otherwise entitled to.
How to File a Claim in Kentucky
Before anything else, your employer needs to know. That notification is what triggers their obligation to report the claim to their insurer.
- Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible
- Seek medical treatment and inform the provider it's work-related
- Your employer files a First Report of Injury with their insurer
- File your own claim within Kentucky's deadline — see below
- Cooperate with the insurer's investigation and any requested exams
Filing Deadline and Waiting Period
Kentucky's general filing deadline is 2 years from the date of injury, and there's a 7-day waiting period before wage-replacement benefits begin. See the full filing deadline guide for tolling rules and what happens if you miss it.
What Happens After You File
Filing doesn't mean the process is over — it means the insurer's clock starts. Keep records of every communication from this point forward.
Do You Need an Attorney in Kentucky?
Whether you need an attorney in Kentucky usually comes down to whether the insurer is disputing something. An uncontested claim for a minor injury rarely requires one; a denied claim or permanent disability almost always benefits from one. Kentucky caps attorney contingency fees at 10-20%.