Workers' Compensation: Wyoming

Federal law and guidance on this subject should be reviewed together with this section.

Author: Kevin Hess, Fisher Phillips

Summary

• All Wyoming employers are required to post the Wyoming Workers' Compensation Act Poster in the workplace. See Notice Requirements.
• The Wyoming Workers' Compensation program is administered by the Workers' Safety and Compensation Division. It is funded entirely through the state, with no private insurance carriers, groups, or self-insured employers allowed to participate. See Covered Employers.
• Employees who are engaged in any extra-hazardous employment, as defined by Wyoming statute, are covered by workers' compensation, with some exceptions. See Covered Employees.
• Compensable injuries must arise out of and in the course of employment. The claimant has the burden to establish the causal relationship between the accident or incident(s) and any resulting injuries or illnesses. See Compensable Injuries and Illnesses.
• Employers may not be liable for certain claims under workers' compensation, depending on the circumstances under which the injury or illness arose. See Employer Defenses to Workers' Compensation Claims.
• Workers' compensation pays for full medical benefits, with no time or monetary limits. The choice of physician rests with the employee receiving medical care. Additionally, workers' compensation pays for partial wage replacement, depending upon the type of disability incurred. See Benefits.
• An injured employee must file an injury report within 72 hours of the incident. The employer then must file the claim on a timely basis. If a dispute ensues, either party may engage in an administrative appeal. See General Workers' Compensation Claim Procedure.
• An employer may not discharge, discriminate or retaliate against an employee for filing a workers' compensation claim. See Retaliation and Interference.