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Alaska Workers' Compensation Laws

Whether an unexpected moose caused the company car to roll in the ditch or you slipped and fell on the ice that seems to be permanently on your office's doorstep, Alaska workers' compensation laws exist to help you get back on your feet after an injury at work.

The table and explanations below summarize the most crucial components of Alaska workers' compensation laws.

Time Limits on Filing

  • You must report your injury in writing to your employer within 30 days of your injury (§ 23.30.100)
  • Two years to file a claim if your insurer denies you benefits (§ 23.30.105)

Time Limits on Benefits

  • 1st 3 days not covered unless disability lasts more than 28 days (§ 23.30.150)
  • No weekly maximums

Benefit Amount Caps

As of 1/1/16:

  • Max. AAWW: is $1,211 (§ 23.30.175)
  • Min. AAWW: $266
  • TTD: 80% of the spendable weekly wage (§ 23.30.185)
  • PTD: 80% of the spendable weekly wage
  • PPI: whole person impairment rating X $177,000 (§ 23.30.190)
  • TPD: 80% of the difference between the spendable weekly wage pre-injury and the earning capacity post-injury (§ 23.30.200)
  • 041k: 70% of the spendable weekly wage
  • $10,000 in funeral expenses (§ 23.30.215)

Other Limits

Covered Workers

Most workers are covered, but there are exceptions, including:

Covered Injuries and Available Benefits

Most injuries and occupational diseases which arise in the course and scope of employment are covered by workers' compensation. Mental injuries are covered in specific circumstances, but not if the mental injury results from a disciplinary action, work evaluation, job transfer, layoff, demotion, termination, or similar action taken in good faith by the employer.

Alaska provides compensation for medical treatment, lost wages from time away from work, compensation for permanent impairment resulting from a work injury, training for a new position, and death benefits including burial expenses.

Time Limits

You must report your injury in writing to your employer within 30 days of your injury. If your workers' compensation insurer denies you benefits, you have two years to file a claim against the insurer. Unless you are unable to work at full capacity for more than 28 days, you will not receive compensation for time away from work for the first three days you are disabled. Fortunately for injured employees, there is no time limit on how long you can receive wage compensation.

Benefit Caps

Compensation is determined by first establishing your gross weekly earnings. Alaska has several ways of computing this, depending on how your earnings are calculated at the time of your injury. Most importantly, however, is that the maximum compensation rate is 120 percent of the Alaska Average Weekly Wage (AAWW).

Dispute Resolution

If your claim is denied, you must request a hearing before the Workers' Compensation Board by filing an Affidavit of Readiness for Hearing. At the hearing, you or your attorney will present evidence which supports your position. This evidence may include, for instance, testimony from your medical treatment provider or from your coworkers, or documentation proving your compensation rate.

Need Help with Workers' Comp Issues? Contact an Attorney

If your claim is denied, your employer's workers' insurance agent is asking for an official statement, or your employer's doctor is ordering you back to work when you know you aren't fully recovered, you may want to speak with an attorney about workers' comp issues. Contact a personal injury attorney located near you today for help.

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