Montana Workers Comp Guide
The Montana workers comp process has a defined order — report, treat, file, wait — and understanding it before you're in the middle of it makes each step less stressful.
How to File a Claim in Montana
Report the injury to your employer first — this starts the clock on your claim and is separate from the formal filing deadline.
- 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 Montana's deadline — see below
- Cooperate with the insurer's investigation and any requested exams
Filing Deadline and Waiting Period
Montana's general filing deadline is 1 year from the date of injury, and there's a 4-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 Montana?
Montana attorneys work on contingency for workers comp cases, meaning there's no upfront cost to have one review your claim — worth doing even if you're not sure you need full representation. Montana caps attorney contingency fees at 20% for cases settled out of court; 25% for cases resolved at hearing or trial.