Wyoming Workers' Compensation: Fast Facts

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Coverage Requirements Under Wyoming State Law

All Wyoming businesses must register with the state's Division of Workers' Compensation and Unemployment Insurance. However, state law doesn't require every business to provide this type of coverage automatically. The Division then determines whether you must provide workers' comp insurance coverage for your employees or if it's optional. If you must provide coverage for your employees, then the Division will notify you after reviewing your registration. Under Wyoming state law, all businesses, including independent contractors and sole proprietors, must complete this registration requirement with the Division. Scroll down for a list of workers automatically exempt from Wyoming workers' comp insurance coverage requirements below.

Work-Related Injury or Illness Reporting Requirements

Report your job-related injury or illness to your employer immediately, preferably in writing, and seek medical care. Your employer must then report it to their worker's comp insurance carrier within 7 days after you give notice. Failure to notify your employer within 72 hours (3 days) could put your Wyoming workers' comp benefits at risk. Finally, file a Report of Injury form with the Wyoming Division of Workers' Compensation within 10 days of your incident. The Division must review and approve or deny your claim within 15 days of receiving it.

Where to Seek Medical Care

State law says you can pick any doctor you like to treat you, or simply head to the closest hospital or clinic. However, once you select your treating physician, you cannot change providers without the insurance company's permission. Wyoming offers a 3% bump in TTD benefit pay if you receive all ongoing medical care exclusively within the state.

Waiting Period for Lost-Wage Benefits in Wyoming

Your first 3 days off are always unpaid unless you cannot return to work for at least 7 calendar days. Once your doctor says you cannot work for at least one week, workers' compensation pays you for missing days 1-3. At that time, you must give your workers' comp doctor a completed, signed Application for Temporary Total Disability Benefits form. You cannot receive any lost-wage benefits until after you file that form with your treating physician. If you can go back to work in less than 4 days, then workers' compensation only covers medical expenses.

Wyoming Workers' Compensation Statute of Limitations

You have one year from your injury accident or illness diagnosis date to apply for Wyoming workers' compensation benefits.

Wyoming Weekly Compensation Rate

You can receive 66 2/3% of your gross monthly wage but no more than the state's average weekly wage (AWW). Pay amounts are based on the date you file your claim and subject to the state's maximum and minimum amounts.

How Long You Can Receive Wyoming Workers' Comp Benefits

  • Medical benefits:unlimited
  • Death benefits:up to $5,000 for funeral and burial expenses, plus monthly payments equal to 80% of the state's AWW for up to 100 months, or until the surviving spouse remarries or dies
  • Temporary Total Disability (TTD):twice-monthly payments until you return to work in any capacity or no more than 24 months (you may receive one 12-month extension, in certain circumstances)
  • Permanent Partial Disability (PPD):monthly TTD payments paid after you reach maximum medical improvement and return to work; you may receive a lump-sum award equal to 6 months of payments for disfiguring face or head injuries only
  • Temporary Partial Disability (TPD):percentage of wage loss in post-injury earnings paid biweekly until the injured worker reaches maximum medical improvement
  • Permanent Total Disability (PTD):monthly payments for no more than 80 months, and only if you previously received PPD benefits; you may receive a lump-sum payment after reaching maximum medical improvement

Wyoming Workers' Comp Coverage Exemptions

The following employees are automatically exempt from Wyoming workers' compensation coverage requirements:

  • Agricultural laborers
  • Casual employees
  • Children workers employed by the state
  • Commission-only sales employees
  • Domestic workers employed in private house
  • Elected officials
  • Federal employees
  • Foster guardians
  • Independent contractors
  • LLC members and partners
  • Private nurse
  • Professional athletes
  • Real estate brokers
  • Sole proprietors and partners
  • Volunteers

Wyoming Workers' Compensation Attorney Fees

When you have a claim dispute or appeal in Wyoming, a hearing officer may appoint an attorney to represent you. If that attorney helps you win your case on appeal, then the hearing officer may also allow reasonable legal fees. The director of the office of administrative hearings sets an established hourly rate for legal fees in successful appeals cases. These fees vary on a case-by-case basis, and at the discretion of the hearing officer who appointed your attorney.