What are the Time Limits for Filing an Industrial Injury or an Occupational Disease Claim?

You must file an industrial injury claim with the Department of Labor & Industries or self-insured employer within one year of the date of the injury or the claim will be rejected.

You must file an occupational disease claim within two years of when your doctor advises you in writing that your work produced your symptomatic physical condition and that you should file a claim. It is best to file the claim as soon as you and your doctor determine that you have a physical condition related to the work you are or have performed in the past.

For hearing loss claims, however, the claim must be filed within two years of last exposure to work-related noise. For a claim file after that two-year deadline, you will only be entitled to medical treatment and hearing aids, but no permanent partial disability award for occupational hearing loss.