How Long Do I Have to Report a Work Injury in Colorado?

Quick Answer:
In Colorado, you have 4 working days to report a work-related injury to your employer. The sooner you report it, the stronger your claim. Failing to report on time can reduce your benefits, though it doesn’t always bar your right to recover compensation. Prompt written notice is the best way to protect your workers’ comp claim.

Introduction

If you’ve been hurt on the job in Colorado, you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits that cover your medical treatment and part of your lost wages. But there’s a catch: you must act quickly. Colorado law gives you just four working days to report the injury to your employer, and strict deadlines apply to filing your claim.

At Bradford Pelton PC, our Colorado Springs workers’ compensation lawyers have spent more than 40 years helping injured workers navigate these deadlines and secure the benefits they deserve. Below, we explain Colorado’s workers’ comp reporting and filing deadlines, what happens if you miss them, and how to safeguard your rights after a workplace injury.

Colorado’s 4-Day Rule: Reporting Your Injury
Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim: The 2-Year Deadline
Repetitive Stress and Occupational Illness Cases
What Happens If You Miss a Deadline
Why Acting Quickly Helps Your Claim
When to Contact a Colorado Springs Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Colorado’s 4-Day Rule: Reporting Your Injury

Under Colorado workers’ compensation law, you must notify your employer in writing within four working days of the accident or the date you realized your injury was work-related.

Even if you’ve already mentioned the injury verbally, written notice is required to preserve your full rights. If you miss this four-day reporting window, your benefits could be reduced—but you can and should still file a claim. Late reporting doesn’t automatically disqualify you.

Give written notice to your supervisor or HR department as soon as possible.
Keep a dated copy for your records.
If you’re unable to give notice due to hospitalization or serious injury, do so as soon as you’re able.

Prompt written reporting helps avoid disputes about when the injury occurred and ensures you’re eligible for the full range of benefits.

Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim: The 2-Year Deadline

Reporting your injury is not the same as filing your claim. To formally seek benefits, you must file a Workers’ Claim for Compensation (Form WC15) with the Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation.

The statute of limitations gives you two years from either:

The date of the injury, or
The last date you received medical treatment or wage loss benefits, whichever is later.

If you miss this deadline, your claim may be permanently barred, regardless of how serious your injury is.

Why timing matters: Delays can occur if your employer fails to report your injury promptly or your symptoms develop gradually. Keep your own record of when the injury happened and when you first received treatment.

Repetitive Stress and Occupational Illness Cases

Not all work injuries happen in a single moment. Some develop slowly over time, such as:

Carpal tunnel syndrome
Hearing loss
Respiratory illness
Repetitive motion injuries
Toxic exposure conditions

In these cases, the two-year clock usually starts when you knew or should have known that your injury or illness was caused by your work.

Because these cases are complex and often disputed, it’s important to speak with a Colorado Springs workers’ compensation attorney as soon as you suspect a connection between your job and your medical condition.

What Happens If You Miss a Deadline

Missing Colorado’s workers’ compensation deadlines can jeopardize your access to critical benefits, including:

Medical care for your work-related injury
Temporary or permanent disability payments
Lost wage reimbursement
Vocational rehabilitation for retraining or job placement
Death benefits for surviving family members in fatal cases

Even if a deadline has passed, don’t assume it’s too late. Colorado law provides limited exceptions, especially when your employer’s insurance carrier caused the delay. Speak with an attorney immediately to review your situation.

Why Acting Quickly Helps Your Claim

Timely reporting and filing not only preserve your rights but also:

Strengthen the evidence supporting your claim
Prevent disputes about when and how the injury occurred
Speed up medical authorization and benefits
Reduce the risk of employer retaliation or denial

At Bradford Pelton PC, we’ve seen how early action can make all the difference in a workers’ compensation case. Whether you’re dealing with an immediate accident or a slow-developing injury, prompt reporting ensures your claim starts on solid ground.

When to Contact a Colorado Springs Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Even if you’ve done everything right, employers and insurance companies may still deny, delay, or underpay your claim. Our firm helps workers across Colorado Springs and El Paso County with:

Filing claims before the statute of limitations expires
Appealing denied or delayed claims
Representing clients in hearings and settlement negotiations
Handling occupational disease and repetitive injury claims

If you’ve been hurt on the job, don’t wait. Every day matters under Colorado’s workers’ compensation deadlines.

Schedule your free consultation with Bradford Pelton PC or call us directly at (719) 634-8828 to get help before time runs out.

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FAQ: Colorado Workers’ Compensation Deadlines

How long do I have to report a work injury in Colorado?

You have 4 working days to report a workplace injury in writing to your employer. Reporting sooner helps avoid disputes and delays.

What happens if I miss the 4-day reporting deadline?

You may lose a portion of your benefits, but you can still file a claim. It’s best to report immediately and document why there was a delay.

How long do I have to file a workers’ compensation claim?

You must file within 2 years of the injury date or your last medical treatment or wage benefit—whichever comes later.

Do the same deadlines apply to occupational illnesses?

Generally, yes, but the clock starts when you knew or should have known the illness was work-related. A lawyer can help determine the exact start date.

Can my employer fire me for filing a workers’ comp claim?

No. Retaliation for reporting an injury or filing a claim is illegal under Colorado law.

Should I get a lawyer for my workers’ comp claim?

If your injury is serious, your claim is delayed, or your employer disputes it, hiring a Colorado Springs workers’ comp attorney can help protect your rights and maximize benefits.

Call-to-Action

If you’ve been injured at work in Colorado Springs, act fast to protect your claim.
Contact Bradford Pelton PC for a free consultation—we’ll review your case, explain your deadlines, and help you recover the benefits you’re entitled to.

📞 (719) 634-8828
📍 Downtown Colorado Springs
🔗 Schedule Your Free Case Evaluation

Written by Alex Kerr, Attorney at Bradford Pelton PC, a Colorado Springs personal injury law firm serving the community for over 40 years.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique, and outcomes vary. Consult an attorney for advice about your specific situation.