Alabama Workers' Compensation: Fast Facts

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Coverage Requirements Under Alabama State Law

Any business with at least 5 permanent or full-time employees must provide Alabama workers' compensation insurance.

Work-Related Injury or Illness Reporting Requirements

Notify your supervisor within 5 days of your work-related injury or illness. If you fail to notify your employer within 90 days, then you cannot qualify for Alabama workers' comp benefits.

Where to Seek Medical Care

Your employer must provide you with a list of workers' comp doctors approved to treat you. If you see an unauthorized healthcare provider, then you must pay your own doctor's bills.

Waiting Period for Lost-Wage Benefits in Alabama

Your first 3 days off are always unpaid unless your accident makes you miss more than 3 weeks of work. Once that happens, you'll receive compensation for those first 3 days off. Your employer's insurer must approve or deny your claim and begin payments within 30 days of your filing date.

Alabama Workers' Compensation Statute of Limitations

Your employer must file your Alabama workers' compensation claim within two years of your work-related injury or illness date.

Alabama Weekly Compensation Rate

You can receive 66 2/3% of Alabama's current average weekly wage, subject to this year's maximum and minimum limits. Your employer's insurer should pay you every 2 weeks until you're able to return to work again.

How Long You Can Receive Alabama Workers' Comp Benefits

  • Medical benefits: unlimited
  • Death benefits: 500 weeks
  • Temporary Total Disability (TTD): unlimited
  • Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): 300 weeks
  • Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): 300 weeks
  • Permanent Total Disability (PTD): unlimited

Alabama Workers' Comp Coverage Exemptions

The following employees are automatically exempt from workers' compensation insurance coverage under Alabama state law:

  • Contractors
  • Domestic servants
  • Farm laborers
  • Federal employees
  • Licensed real estate agents and product demonstrators
  • Seasonal workers
  • Volunteers
  • Temporary workers

Alabama Workers' Compensation Attorney Fees

Lawyers cannot charge more than 15% of your final workers' compensation award in legal fees if you win. If you're unsuccessful, attorneys charge $0 for handling your case.