Eagle County Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

If you’ve been hurt on the job in Colorado, you’re probably wondering what it actually takes to qualify for workers’ comp. The good news is that most workers are covered—but there are a few key requirements you’ll need to meet to receive benefits:

1. You must be an employee of a covered employer. Almost every employer in Colorado is required to carry workers’ comp insurance if they have even one employee. That means most workers are automatically protected, though independent contractors generally aren’t.
2. Your injury or illness must be work-related. To qualify, your condition has to come from your job duties or work environment—whether it’s a one-time accident like an amputation injury from defective machinery or an occupational disease that builds up over time, like carpal tunnel, hearing loss, or cancer. Except in emergencies, you’ll also need to see a doctor who has been approved by your employer’s workers’ comp insurance for your care to be covered.
3. You must report your injury on time. Colorado law requires that you notify your employer about your injury within 10 days. From there, you have up to 2 years to file a workers’ comp claim with the Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation. If you miss these deadlines, you could lose your right to benefits, even if your injury is work-related.

Unfortunately, even when you do everything right, insurance companies sometimes look for ways to deny or limit benefits. That’s when it helps to have a local Colorado workers’ comp attorney on your side to protect your rights and make sure you get the care and compensation you deserve.

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment sets specific limits on certain types of workers’ comp benefits. These numbers are updated every July to account for inflation, so they can change each year.

Below are the caps on Colorado workers’ comp benefits as of July 1, 2025:

• Temporary total disability (TTD). If you can’t work at all while recovering, the maximum weekly benefit is $1,396.85.
• Permanent partial disability (PPD). If you suffer a serious or catastrophic injury that leaves you with a lasting “whole person impairment,” you may be eligible for a lump-sum payment. The cap is $192,996.79 if your impairment rating is 19% or less and $312,967.77 if it’s 20% or more.
• Disfigurement benefits. For visible scars or disfigurement, the maximum standard award is $7,394.64, with extensive disfigurement capped at $14,786.65.
• Mileage reimbursement. You can be reimbursed $0.60 per mile for approved travel to and from medical appointments.
• Death benefits. If a worker dies from a job-related injury or illness:
  
  
  • Medical expenses from the time of injury until death are covered.
  • Weekly death benefits for dependents are capped at $1,396.85 per week (with a minimum of $349.21).
  • Lump-sum benefits may be available—up to $128,851.00 for a sole dependent, or up to $257,698.76 shared among multiple dependents.
  • Funeral expenses are covered up to $14,206.62.

One important note: there is no cap on medical benefits in Colorado. As long as your treatment is necessary and authorized, workers’ comp should cover your medical care in full.

If your workers’ comp claim is denied, you have the right to challenge that decision through a process called adjudication. This means requesting a formal hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ) with the Colorado Office of Administrative Courts (OAC).

At the hearing, both you and your employer’s insurance company can present evidence—like medical records, witness testimony, and wage information—and the judge will decide whether you’re entitled to benefits. It’s essentially your chance to have your case reviewed by a neutral decision-maker.

To request a hearing, you’ll need to:

• Fill out and file the Application for Hearing form with the correct OAC office (Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Greeley, Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs, or Durango, depending on where you live).
• Clearly state what you’re disputing, such as denied benefits, unpaid wages, or problems with medical care.
• Send copies of your application to your employer and their insurance company.

Once filed, a hearing date is typically set within 80–120 days. From there, it’s all about preparing your evidence.

Because missing deadlines or leaving out key proof can cost you your case, many workers choose to work with an experienced Eagle County work injury attorney to improve their chances of success.