Idaho Workers' Compensation: Fast Facts

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Coverage Requirements Under Idaho State Law

All businesses with at least one employee (part-time, full-time, seasonal, or temporary) must carry Idaho workers' compensation insurance. Contractors and subcontractors may also have coverage in some circumstances; call Idaho's Industrial Commission to confirm: 1-208-334-6060.

Work-Related Injury or Illness Reporting Requirements

Notify your supervisor right away that you need medical care for a work-related illness or injury. You must report it within 60 days or lose your right to claim any Idaho workers' compensation.

Where to Seek Medical Care

If you need urgent medical attention, go to the closest emergency care facility, hospital, or ER. Otherwise, ask your supervisor if you must see an employer-designated doctor before you seek treatment. If they say no, then you are free to see any physician you choose. However, your employer's insurer must approve any changes in doctors once you begin ongoing treatment.

Waiting Period for Lost-Wage Benefits in Idaho

Your first 5 days off work are always unpaid due to a work-related illness or injury in Idaho. Once you're out of work for 2 weeks or longer, you'll receive payment for those first 5 unpaid days off. If you don't need more than 5 days off to recover, then you'll only qualify for medical benefits.

Idaho Workers' Compensation Statute of Limitations

You have one year from your job injury or illness diagnosis date to file your Idaho workers' compensation claim.

Idaho Weekly Compensation Rate

You can receive 67% of Idaho's gross average weekly wage in wage-loss benefits for the first year, with certain restrictions. For the first 52 weeks, your workers' comp payments cannot equal more than 90% of Idaho's average state wage. After 52 weeks, you can receive up to 67% of the average state wage in Idaho for the duration of your disability. These amounts are subject to the state's current maximum and minimum benefit limits approved for each calendar year.

How Long You Can Receive Idaho Workers' Comp Benefits

  • Medical benefits: unlimited for up to 5 years
  • Death benefits: up to $6,000 for funeral and burial expenses, plus weekly TTD benefit payments equal to 45% of the ASW not to exceed 500 weeks until the surviving spouse dies or remarries
  • Temporary Total Disability (TTD): duration of disability, with certain amount restrictions
  • Permanent Partial Disability (PPD):multiply your impairment percentage x 500 weeks to determine the total number of weeks; pay rate is 55% of the SAWW for the calendar year your injury occurred
  • Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): duration of disability at TTD rate
  • Permanent Total Disability (PTD):duration of disability

Idaho Workers' Comp Coverage Exemptions

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

  • Casual employees
  • Domestic workers doing household jobs in a private residence
  • Federal employees
  • Pilots that fly crop-dusting planes or those that spray agricultural chemicals, under certain conditions
  • Real estate employees working on a commission-only basis, such as Realtors and brokers
  • School athletic contest judges and officials (applies to grades 7-12 only)
  • Sole proprietors and family members they employ while living in the same household
  • Volunteer ski patrol workers

Idaho Workers' Compensation Attorney Fees

All Idaho workers' compensation attorneys work on contingency. This means you only pay your lawyer for a successful claim outcome. State law says your Idaho workers' compensation attorney cannot charge more than 5% of your final award in legal fees.