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Department of Labor and Workforce Development
 
Workers' Compensation

Workers' Compensation

Charles Collins, Director

The Division of Workers' Compensation is the agency charged with the administration of the Alaska Workers' Compensation Act (Act). The Act provides for the payment by employers or their insurance carriers of medical, disability and reemployment benefits to injured workers. The Division is required to administer the Act in a manner that is both fair and efficient to all parties. In addition to its administrative function, the Division also houses the Alaska Workers' Compensation Board which hears disputes arising between employees and employers or their insurance carriers regarding the payment of benefits under the Act.

General Information

Workers' Compensation is a system which requires an employer to pay an injured employee's work-related medical and disability benefits. Workers' Compensation also requires the payment of benefits to dependents in the case of work-related death. For more information about the workers' compensation process, click the following links:

You may also contact the Division Toll Free (877) 783-4980 or email at workerscomp@alaska.gov or contact a Division office below.

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  • The Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the Fishermen's Fund Advisory and Appeals Council proposes to change regulations relating to the Fishermen's Fund. For additional information, see the Online Public Notice
  • The Alaska Workers' Compensation, Reemployment Benefits Section will hold a series of public stakeholder meetings to discuss potential changes to the Alaska Workers' Compensation regulations related to reemployment benefits, beginning with 8 AAC 45.400 – 45.500. The meetings are scheduled for February 13, 2023, March 13, 2023, and April 10, 2023. For additional information, see the Online Public Meeting Notice.

The Adjudications Section is responsible for interpreting the Alaska Workers' Compensation Act in a fair and impartial manner to ensure the quick, efficient and predictable delivery of medical and indemnity benefits to injured workers at a reasonable cost to employers and insurance carriers.

The Special Investigations Unit investigates allegations of workers' compensation fraud committed by employers, injured workers, and care providers. Workers' compensation fraud includes any false or misleading act or statement made for the purpose of obtaining benefits or evading full payment of workers' compensation premiums. The Special Investigations Unit is also responsible for investigating and enforcing employer compliance and petitioning the Alaska Workers' Compensation Board to assess penalties against uninsured employers for lapses in coverage and violations of stop work orders. Employers can be assessed penalties up to $1,000 per employee for each day they remain uninsured, and a mandatory $1,000 per day for violating stop work orders.

  • Workers' Compensation Fraud Hotline - (888) 372-8330

The Medical Services Review Committee assists the Workers' Compensation Board and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development concerning medical and services related costs.

The Reemployment Benefits Section administers the provision of reemployment benefits to qualifying injured workers. Injured workers who qualify for these benefits may elect to undergo vocational retraining paid for by the employer.

Special Funds Units:

Workers' Compensation Benefits Guaranty Fund (Fund) was established in 2005 to provide workers' compensation benefits to workers injured on the job while working for an uninsured employer. A claim may be filed against the Fund following a finding by the Board that the employer is responsible for and fails to pay benefits under the Act.

Fishermen's Fund provides for treatment and care of Alaska's licensed commercial fishermen who are injured or become ill due to fishing-related activities on shore in Alaska or in Alaska waters.

Second Injury Fund provides benefits to employers for claimants who have a permanent physical impairment.

Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission hears appeals from decisions of the Alaska Workers Compensation Board in cases decided by the Board after November 7, 2005.