Indiana Workers’ Compensation Benefits Guide for Injured Workers

Indiana may be most famous for its Indy 500 races, but manufacturing is the economic engine that powers Indiana (294,000+ jobs). It’s followed closely by the logistics, agribusiness, and life science job sectors. But many of those industries put some workers at risk for injuries from job-related accidents. If you need Indiana workers’ compensation benefits, learn how to apply, qualify, pay amounts, and more helpful info below.

Qualifying for Indiana Worker’s Compensation: Key Takeaways

• Like most U.S. states, Indiana uses a no-fault insurance system to provide workers’ comp benefits to eligible injured workers. So, filing a claim does not mean that you’re suing your employer.
• Workman’s comp insurance only covers for work-related injuries and illnesses that occur within the course and scope of your employment.
• State law lets employers direct medical care for injured workers, so you must notify your supervisor before seeing a doctor.
• Workers’ comp insurance only pays for lost wages if your doctor says you cannot go back to work for more than a week.

How Can I Tell If My Employer Has Workers’ Comp Insurance?

Indiana law requires workers’ comp coverage for every business with at least one employee. That rule applies equally to full-time and part-time workers starting on day one of your employment. However, certain types of employees are also automatically exempt from this insurance coverage requirement.

Automatic Exemptions Under the Indiana Workers’ Compensation Act

These employees are not automatically covered according to state law, but may choose to purchase their own insurance plans:

• Agricultural workers
• Casual or temporary employees
• Domestic workers employed in private households
• Federal employees (i.e., postal carriers, certain railroad and rail yard workers)
• Fire or police department workers whose positions provide pension retirement benefits
• Independent contractors
• Licensed real estate agents working on a commission only basis
• LLC members, officers, and business partners
• Sole proprietors

Step-by-Step Instructions for Filing Indiana Workers’ Compensation Claims

In general, the process below explains how to apply for workers’ comp benefits after a job accident. If your work-related injury appears gradually over time (like carpal tunnel or hearing loss), you have two years to file your claim. This filing deadline is called the statute of limitations, and it also applies to occupational injuries.

1. Report your accident to your supervisor, preferably in writing, and ask which doctor you should see.

You must do this within 30 days after your injury occurs in order to qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. Be sure to include the time, date, and location where the accident happened and witness contact information, if applicable.

Important: Going to a doctor that isn't authorized to treat your work injury may mean you'll have to pay those bills yourself.

2. Seek treatment from an authorized medical provider.

Be sure to tell the doctor that your injury or illness is work-related and who you work for during your visit. It’s critical to follow the doctor’s directions, take any medication exactly as prescribed, and keep any follow-up appointments.

Pro Tip: If you have no medical bills from your accident, then you don't have a valid Indiana workers' compensation claim.

3. Your employer then notifies the Indiana Workers’ Compensation Board and their insurer about your accident.

Legally, the insurance company has 30 days from that notification date to review and approve or deny your claim. But if your claim is successful, you can usually expect your first check about 15 days after you file.

4. If approved, you must miss at least one week of work before you’re eligible for wage-loss benefits.

Your first week off is always unpaid unless you miss at least 21 days total because you’re injured. Once you reach day 22 of forced unemployment for a work-related injury, that changes things. You’ll then get TTD benefits that cover that first week you had to miss work.

5. Review your appeal options for a denied claim from the insurance company, if applicable.

Indiana gives you three possible ways to appeal a denied workman’s comp claim. They are mediation, going through the Board’s informal dispute resolution process, or requesting a formal hearing. At this point, you’d be wise to consult a nearby attorney about your claim to request legal guidance or representation.

Types of Workers’ Comp Benefits Available in Indiana to Eligible Injured Workers

Which types of workers’ comp benefits you’re eligible for depends on the nature and severity of your work injury.

Medical Expenses

If the treating physician says you can go back to work right away, then Indiana workers’ compensation only covers your medical bills. However, those benefits can be quite extensive, as they pay your medical providers directly for things like:

• Doctor’s visits
• Hospital stays
• Surgery
• Physical therapy
• Labs, imaging scans, and other required tests

In addition, certain related charges (like mileage or hotel stays) to receive necessary care may also be eligible for reimbursement.

Lost Wages

Indemnity benefits are also known as wage-loss payments. Indiana workers’ compensation insurance won’t fully replace your paycheck, but you may be able to recover some lost income.

Temporary Total Disability (TTD) Benefits

The Workers’ Compensation Act sets payments for lost wages at two-thirds your average weekly wage (AWW) if you cannot immediately return to work. These are known as temporary total disability (TTD) payments, which you can receive for no more than 500 weeks. You become eligible for TTD benefits starting on your 8th day of missed work.

Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) Benefits

If your treating physician says you can return to light duty or part time work, then you may instead qualify for temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits. They typically calculate these payments at two-thirds of the difference between your pre-injury wages and current income. TPD benefits can last for a maximum of 300 weeks total.

Permanent Partial Impairment Settlement

Once you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), your employer has the right to terminate your TTD or TPD payments. But don’t worry, if you’re still unable to return to your previous earning level, you may be eligible for additional payments. Reaching MMI status just means the doctor doesn’t think you will benefit from any additional medical care.

First, you’ll undergo an exam to determine your permanent partial impairment (PPI) rating. This is to determine the percentage of disability you currently have relative to your past work abilities. Then, the doctor will multiply that percentage by the assigned body part degrees set forth under state law.

Injured Body Part	Number of Assigned Degrees
Back	100
Hip	100
Shoulder	100
Loss of both your hands, feet, eyesight in both eyes, or some combination of the two	100
Arm above the elbow, which may also include elbow injuries	50
Leg above the knee, which may also include knee injuries	45
Hearing loss in both ears	40
Disfigurement that limits your future work opportunities or ability to perform certain job tasks that you’re specially trained to do	40
Hand or forearm below the elbow	40
Foot and/or any portion of the leg located below the knee	35
Loss of one eye, or reduction of eyesight to 1/10th of your normal range of vision before the accident	35
Hearing loss in one ear only	15
Big toe	12
Thumb	12
Index finger (pointer finger)	8
Middle finger	7
Ring finger	6
Second toe	6
Third toe	4
Little finger	4
Fourth toe	3
Fifth toe (pinky toe)	2

Indiana Code Title 22, Labor and Safety § 22-3-3-10 defines payment per degree in a lump-sum PPI settlement as follows:

• $1,750 for degrees 1-10
• $1,952 for degrees 11-35
• $3,186 for degrees 36-50
• $4,060 for degrees 51-100

Permanent Total Disability (PTD) Benefits

If you cannot work again in any capacity due to your injury, the IN Workers’ Compensation Board may award you PTD benefits. PTD benefits only begin after you reach MMI, are the same amount as TTD payments, and can last up to 500 weeks total.

Death Benefits

Families of deceased workers may be entitled to death benefits from worker’s compensation, including:

• $10,000 to put towards funeral and burial costs as set forth in Indiana Code Title 22, Labor and Safety § 22-3-3-22
• Survivor’s benefit payments that are the same amount as TTD benefits for the deceased worker’s spouse and children

Talk to an Attorney for Free Who Understands Indiana Workers’ Compensation Law

An experienced attorney can help you secure the most workers’ comp benefits your injury deserves after your workplace accident. Worried that you can’t afford a good lawyer to help with your claim? LegalASAP’s nationwide network features hundreds of law firms offering free, no-obligation claim evaluations to eligible consumers.

To provide your free consultation about your claim, we just need a few things from you:

• A name, so the matched attorney knows how to address you when you answer the phone.
• Your ZIP code, which helps us find the closest legal professional who’s available to answer your claim questions.
• The best phone number to call so someone can reach you during normal business hours.

Insurance industry statistics show injured employees with attorneys get about 417% more paid time off to recover after a work accident. Plus, workman’s comp cases settled out of court by attorneys receive $10,000 more in compensation, on average.

Ready to learn how much your job injury may truly be worth? Please call 1-888-927-3080 or click the button below to request your FREE consultation today:

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