Alaska Workers' Compensation Laws

For occupational diseases, the limitation period runs from when the employee knew or should have known the disability was related to employment.

Report the injury to your employer in writing within 15 days (effective January 1, 2025). Injuries occurring before January 1, 2025 had a 30-day reporting deadline.

If benefits are denied or disputed, file a workers' compensation claim with the Alaska Workers' Compensation Board within 2 years of the injury.

Nearly all Alaska employers must carry workers' compensation insurance, including out-of-state employers with employees working in Alaska. Failure to carry insurance subjects the employer to civil penalties and potential criminal liability.

TTD benefits are calculated at 80% of the employee's spendable weekly wage (take-home pay). For 2026, the maximum weekly TTD rate is $1,627. Minimum compensation rates also apply.

Injured workers may designate their own treating physician. The employee may change physicians once with written notice. Additional changes require the employer's written consent. Referrals to specialists by the attending physician do not count as a change.

Employers must report work injuries to the Division of Workers' Compensation within 10 days of knowledge of the injury, including the employee's name, occupation, cause and nature of injury, and when and where it occurred.

Employers cannot discriminate against or discharge an employee for filing or intending to file a workers' compensation claim. Interference with an employee's choice of physician is a misdemeanor.

Effective January 1, 2025, Alaska established a stay-at-work program to help injured employees return to modified or alternative work duties while recovering, benefiting both workers and employers.