If your workers comp payments stopped, the stop is not always final, and a free call to us starts the fight. In New York, benefits that stop can resume when you show you are back in the job search. An attorney reads your notice, finds the reason, and pushes to get your checks back.
Workers comp payments stopped: what to do first
A missed check hits hard. Rent, food and the car payment do not wait for the insurer. Start with these steps, in this order.
- Call us for a free case review. Tell the intake team your state, your job and the date of your last check.
- Find the stop notice. Check your mail and email for a letter about your checks. Keep a copy of every letter.
- Mark the deadline. Read the date your notice gives and write it on a calendar.
- Keep seeing your doctor. Go to every visit and keep your medical papers. They show how hurt you still are.
Do not sign anything new from the insurer before an attorney reads it. One signature can close a door you need open.
Why workers comp checks stop
Checks rarely stop for no reason. The insurer usually points to one of four things.
- You went back to work. In California, temporary checks generally stop when you return to work or your doctor releases you.
- Your doctor found MMI. Maximum medical improvement means your condition is stable and unlikely to get better with more care.
- You hit a state limit. In Texas, MMI is reached no later than 104 weeks after temporary benefits start.
- There is a dispute. The insurer may say you turned down suitable work, skipped an independent medical exam, or stopped looking for work.
Each reason has its own fix. A doctor's MMI finding can be challenged. A light duty offer that does not fit your limits can be fought.
Reaching MMI does not mean the pain is gone. It can also lead to other money, like benefits based on your impairment rating.
What does the stop notice mean?
The notice is the insurer's reason, put in writing. It should name the rule they used and the date your checks ended.
Read the deadline it gives, and do not guess. Some states move fast. In Ohio, either side can appeal a decision within 14 days of getting it.
A notice is the insurer's side of the story, not the last word. If no letter came at all, say so on the call. An attorney can find out what the insurer filed.
How an attorney gets your checks restarted
Your attorney holds the notice up against your medical records and your state's law. If the reason does not hold up, they file to put your checks back.
That can mean a second medical opinion, a challenge to an MMI finding, or a hearing before a judge. In Texas, a worker who disagrees can ask for a benefit review conference.
Some states allow a long time to fight. Pennsylvania lets you ask to reinstate suspended benefits within 500 weeks. Waiting still costs you, since every lost week is rent you cannot pay.
You pay nothing up front. The attorney is paid only out of money recovered, and state law caps that fee. Read more on what a workers comp lawyer costs.
Rules in your state
Each state sets its own rules for stopping and restarting checks. Find yours on workers comp by state.
Common starting points are Texas, California and New York. On the call, we connect you with an attorney who handles cases where you live.
Questions injured workers ask
Why did my workers comp checks stop?
Common reasons are a return to work, an MMI finding, a state time limit, or a dispute. Your notice should name the reason. Call us, and an attorney will go over it with you.
Can I get my workers comp payments back?
You may, if the stop was wrong or your condition changed. An attorney looks at the reason and files to restart your checks. The case review is free.
How long do I have to fight the stop?
It depends on your state and your notice. Some deadlines are short, so read the date on your notice. Call us right away so nothing slips by.
What if I never got a stop notice?
Tell us on the call. An attorney can find out what the insurer filed and why. Keep every letter that does come.
What does a workers comp attorney cost?
Nothing up front. The attorney is paid only out of money recovered, and state law caps that fee. If you do not win, you owe no fee.
Rates updated Aug 14, 2026