Attorneys are prohibited by law from charging a fee in advance for legal services. Legal fees can only be awarded by a judge of compensation and only if a compensation award is made. If you would like to file a formal claim petition and you do not have an attorney, you may get a referral from your local Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service. To obtain copies of the filing forms, visit our forms page by clicking here. A formal claim petition must be filed within two years of the date of injury or the date of last payment of compensation, whichever is later.
Medical treatment authorized by the employer is considered a payment of compensation.
In cases of occupational illness, such as asbestosis, lead poisoning or hearing loss, the claim petition must be filed within two years from the date the worker first became aware of the condition and its relationship to employment. Please note that the filing of an application for an informal hearing does not stop the two-year statute of limitations from running. Permission to reproduce may be required.