Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Hawaii

Ask your employer for a copy of the claim form to report a work injury or illness to your employer.  Many state workers compensation agencies have a standardized claim form as well.  Follow the instructions on the form, complete the "employee" section" and sign and date it.  Make sure you keep a copy for your records.  The employer will fill out the "employer" section.  You can submit the form to your employer in person or by mail, but if you use mail it is usually recommended to send it by certified mail (return receipt requested) so you have a record of the date it was mailed and received.

Hawaii Workers’ Compensation Waiting Period
If there are any issues which cannot be resolved or if a claim is denied, either party may request a hearing. A hearing will be held and a hearings officer will render a decision within 60 days after the hearing. If either party disagrees with the decision, either party may appeal by filing a notice of appeal with the department within 20 calendar days from the date stamped on the decision.

Hawaii Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Medical benefits-all medical treatment which includes surgical and hospital services and supplies related to the injury. The injured employee is entitled to choose the treating physician.

Temporary total disability benefits-wage loss benefits paid as long as certified disabled from work by a treating physician.

Permanent partial disability benefits-payments due an employee when an injury results in a percentage loss of use of specified portions or functions of the body.

Permanent total disability benefits-payments due an employee if the injured employee cannot return to work because of the injury.

Disfigurement-payments due an employee for scars as a result of laceration or surgery, can include deformity and discoloration.

Death-payments due to a surviving spouse and dependent children in work-related death cases.

Vocational rehabilitation-if unable to return to usual occupation, injured employee may receive career counseling, testing, training, and job placement

Hawaii Workers’ Compensation Contact Information
Gary S. Hamada, Administrator
Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
Disability Compensation Division
Princess Keelikolani Building
830 Punchbowl Street, Room 211
P. O. Box 3769
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 586-9161 (808) 586-9161
(Contact: Clyde Imada)

NOTICE: These questions and answers concern Hawaii law only, and should not be construed nor relied upon as reflecting the law in other States, nor as giving legal advice. You are warned that circumstances often vary greatly and that, due to changing decisions and law, the answers to these questions may change over time and not be current, and you should consult an attorney in any specific case, and NOT rely on these questions and answers as giving anything other than general information.