Kentucky does not give you a fixed number of days to report an injury. The statute only says your employer must hear about it as soon as practicable, which means as soon as you reasonably can. Tell a supervisor in writing and keep a copy.
The date that matters most is two years out. A claim must reach the Department within two years of the accident. If the insurer paid checks and then cut them off, you have two years from the stop date or from the accident, whichever is later.
Kentucky weekly checks for 2026 injuries
Temporary total disability, the benefit for time you cannot work at all while healing, pays 66 2/3% of your average weekly wage. The Department's 2026 benefit schedule sets the maximum at $1,277.99 a week and the minimum at $232.36.
Nothing is owed for the first seven days of disability. If you stay disabled for more than two weeks, those seven days get paid as well, starting from day one.
Plug your pay into our check calculator to see a rough weekly amount.
| Weekly check | two-thirds (66 2/3%) of your average weekly wage |
|---|---|
| Weekly cap, injuries in 2026 | $1,277.99 |
| Weekly minimum, injuries in 2026 | $232.36 |
| Waiting period | first 7 days unpaid unless the disability lasts more than two weeks, then paid from day one |
Kentucky time limits, from first report to appeal
- Notice to your employer: as soon as practicable after the accident.
- Claim with the Department: within two years of the accident or within two years after payments stop if that comes later.
- Petition for reconsideration, which asks the judge to fix an obvious error: within 14 days of the decision.
- Appeal to the Workers' Compensation Board: within 30 days of the judge's final decision.
The 14-day and 30-day windows both start from the decision, so they run at the same time.
How Kentucky limits what your lawyer is paid
For fee contracts signed on or after July 14, 2018, the cap works in tiers: 20% of the first $25,000, 15% of the next $25,000 and 10% of anything above that. The total can never pass $18,000.
Here is the math on a $40,000 award: 20% of $25,000 is $5,000 and 15% of the remaining $15,000 is $2,250, so the most allowed is $7,250. An administrative law judge must sign off on all attorney fees before any are paid. Our page on attorney fees covers the basics.
Free help from the Department of Workers' Claims
The Department of Workers' Claims runs the system and its judges hear disputed claims. Its main office number is 502-564-5550.
For questions about your rights or the forms, the Department has an ombudsman and specialists you can reach at 800-554-8601 at no charge. If your claim was turned down, our guide to a denied claim lays out what to do next.
People also ask
Is there a set number of days to report a work injury in Kentucky?
No fixed count. The law says as soon as practicable, so tell your employer right away and put it in writing.
Can an attorney take a third of my Kentucky award?
No. Fees are tiered at 20%, 15% and 10%, can never go above $18,000 and need a judge's approval.