Indiana Workers’ Compensation Information

Indiana Workers’ Compensation Information Resource

This website is meant to be a resource for workers injured during the course of their employment in the state of Indiana. It includes frequently asked questions, forms commonly used in an Indiana worker’s compensation claim, links to various Indiana state agencies, tips on what to do if you are injured at work, and statistics about work injuries in Indiana.

The purpose of the Workers’ Compensation Act of Indiana, which was passed by the Indiana General Assembly in 1915, is to provide a system in which an injured worker or his dependants—in the event of the worker’s death—can obtain financial assistance when the worker is injured at work. The Act was designed to protect injured workers and their families with a prompt remedy for personal injury or death.

The Workers’ Compensation Board of Indiana administers and enacts the provisions of the Act and was created in 1915 by the Indiana General Assembly. The Board consists of seven members, one of whom serves as chairman. Each member is appointed by the Governor and holds office for four years.

It is important to understand that the Board is an administrative agency, not a court of law. This means that the Board makes rulings and decisions, but does not hear jury trials. Many of the parts of the Act make jury trials unnecessary. The Board has many different powers, which includes the ability to hear, determine, and review all claims made by injured workers and the power to approve claims for medical services.

The information contained on this website applies only to the Workers’ Compensation Act of Indiana. If you were not injured in Indiana, please consult the agency responsible for managing workers’ compensation claims in your state for information specific to your state’s laws.

 


Indiana Workers’ Compensation News & Information

Are lost wages owed for missing work for doctor’s appointments?
A lot of questions arise when an injured worker misses work during the 7 day waiting period to attend medical treatment.  The law clearly states that if a work injury causes an injured worker to miss work due to attending or traveling to and from a medical appointment, that worker is entitled to be reimbursed [...]


How long will I receive a weekly workers’ compensation paycheck?
In Indiana, workers’ compensation pay is issued for as long as the authorized workers’ compensation physicians say that you require medical treatment, unless your employer offers you suitable light duty work beforehand.  Once light duty is offered, you will need to return to work light duty.  If light duty work is not offered, you are [...]


The Doctor is the Boss, Not the Insurance Company
There is a misconception in workers’ compensation cases that the insurance company can dictate what treatment you require. For example, if the attending physician (the doctor the insurance company selects) recommends 12 sessions of therapy, the adjuster legally cannot arbitrarily decide that you only need 6 sessions. The doctor, the insurance company selects, is the [...]


How well do you know your neighbors?
Last week a fertilizer facility in West, Texas was the site of a major explosion.  According to sources, a fire broke out after work hours.  State and federal investigators have not yet determined the cause of the disaster.  The explosion that followed could be heard miles away and was so powerful it registered as a [...]


Court of Appeals of Indiana
Last week, attorney Nathan Maudlin, of Klezmer Maudlin P.C., received a favorable decision from the Indiana Court of Appeals. In the case, a decision from the Indiana Workers’ Compensation Board was vacated and remanded back to the Board. At the hearing before the Board, the Board member awarded benefits to an injured worker, but only [...]