Utah Workers' Comp Settlements

How Workers' Comp Works in Utah

Utah's workers' compensation system is administered by the Utah Labor Commission's Division of Industrial Accidents. If you're hurt on the job, you're generally entitled to medical care, wage-replacement benefits while you recover, and — if the injury leaves lasting effects — a permanent impairment award or a settlement. Here's what that looks like in plain terms, along with the figures that apply to injuries in the current benefit year.

Temporary Disability: What You're Paid While You Heal

While you can't work, Utah pays temporary total disability (TTD) at 66-2/3% of your average weekly wage, capped at 100% of the state average weekly wage. For the benefit period running July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, that maximum is $1,306.00 per week. Utah also adds a small dependent allowance — $20 for a dependent spouse and $20 for each dependent child under 18 (up to four children) — and a minimum benefit of $45 per week applies. There's a three-day waiting period before benefits start, but if your disability lasts beyond 14 days, you're also paid for those first three days.

Permanent Impairment and Settlements

If your doctor decides your condition has stabilized and you're left with lasting limitations, you may receive a permanent partial disability (PPD) award based on an impairment rating. In Utah, PPD is paid at 66-2/3% of your average weekly wage, subject to its own maximum — for the current benefit year, the maximum PPD rate is $870.00 per week. The number of weeks payable depends on the body part and the impairment percentage. Workers' comp cases in Utah generally resolve in one of two ways:

• Ongoing benefits — the carrier pays your disability award over time, and medical care for the injury stays open as long as treatment is related and bills are submitted on time.
• Lump-sum settlement — the parties agree to resolve some or all of the claim for a one-time payment, which may close out future benefits. Settlements in Utah are reviewed by the Labor Commission.

Which path makes sense depends on your future medical needs, your impairment rating, and whether the claim is disputed. A lump sum gives you cash now but can shift the risk of future treatment costs onto you.

The Doctor Question and a Utah Quirk

As with many states, your initial medical care is often directed by your employer or its insurance carrier, and the treating doctor's impairment opinion heavily influences your rating and your benefits. Utah has specific rules about which physician you see and when you can change, so it's worth asking at your very first visit. A Utah quirk worth knowing: there's a long outer limit on claims — you generally must file within 6 years of the accident, but a separate provision requires you to prove you're owed compensation within 12 years of the injury date. Medical care can continue for life for a compensable injury, as long as bills are submitted within one year of treatment.

Deadlines You Can't Miss

Report your injury to your employer within 180 days, and generally file your application for hearing with the Labor Commission within 6 years of the accident, with a separate 12-year limit on proving your entitlement to compensation. Deadlines can run differently for occupational diseases, where the clock may start when the condition is diagnosed. These dates are strict, and missing them can bar your claim — confirm your specific deadlines with the Labor Commission or a licensed Utah attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions