Idaho Workers' Comp Settlements

How Workers' Comp Works in Idaho

Idaho's workers' compensation system is administered by the Idaho Industrial Commission. If you're hurt on the job, you're generally entitled to covered medical care, wage-replacement benefits while you recover, and — if the injury leaves lasting effects — a permanent impairment or disability award that can be resolved by settlement. Here's what that looks like in plain terms, with the figures and rules that apply to 2026 injuries.

Temporary Disability: What You're Paid While You Heal

While you can't work because of the injury, Idaho pays temporary total disability (TTD) at 67% of your average weekly wage. That amount is capped by a state maximum tied to 90% of the statewide average weekly wage, and a state minimum also applies. The Industrial Commission sets these dollar figures and they reset each year, so the exact cap depends on your date of injury — confirm the current number with the Commission.

There's a five-day waiting period before income benefits begin. If your disability lasts longer than two weeks, benefits are paid retroactively from the first day of disability — so the waiting period effectively disappears for longer absences. The waiting period also doesn't apply if you're admitted to the hospital as an inpatient.

Permanent Impairment, Disability, and Settlements

Once your doctor decides your condition has stabilized and reached maximum medical improvement, you may be assigned a permanent partial impairment (PPI) rating that reflects lasting physical loss. If the injury also limits your ability to earn a living, you may receive a broader permanent partial disability (PPD) award that factors in your age, education, and work history. Severe cases may qualify as permanent total disability.

Many Idaho claims close through a negotiated lump-sum settlement. Settlements that close out a claim are reviewed and must be approved by the Industrial Commission to make sure the terms are fair, and they often release the employer and insurer from future medical and indemnity obligations for the injury. Whether a lump sum is right for you depends on your impairment, your future medical needs, and whether the claim is disputed — cash now means you take on the risk of future treatment.

The Doctor Question in Idaho

Idaho differs from some states here: the employer or its insurer generally has the right to choose the physician who provides your initial treatment. There are important exceptions — you may seek the most available care in an emergency regardless of who the employer would have picked, and you can choose your own doctor if the employer has not yet designated a treating physician. Switching doctors after treatment has been directed usually requires the insurer's agreement or Industrial Commission approval. Because the treating doctor's opinion shapes your impairment rating, getting this right early matters.

Deadlines You Can't Miss

Give your employer notice of the accident as soon as practical, and no later than 60 days — written notice is safer than a verbal heads-up. Then file your formal claim within one year of the accident (for occupational diseases, within one year of the disease's first manifestation, with written notice to the employer within 60 days). The one-year filing deadline is a hard cutoff: missing it can permanently bar your right to benefits. Don't wait, and document everything.

Frequently Asked Questions