Kentucky Injury Resource Center
Reviewed by Larry Forman, Attorney.
Most Kentucky workers hurt on the job are covered by workers’ compensation, which pays medical bills and part of lost wages without proving fault. But workers’ comp doesn’t pay for pain and suffering. If someone other than your employer caused the injury, you may also have a separate injury claim. This page is general information about how the two fit together.
Key takeaways
Kentucky requires notice to the employer “as soon as practicable” after the accident, and a claim generally must be filed within two years of the injury or of the last voluntary payment of income benefits (KRS 342.185). Occupational disease claims have different rules. The Kentucky Department of Workers’ Claims has forms and information at labor.ky.gov/comp.
If a driver, contractor, property owner or product maker who isn’t your employer caused the injury, you may have a claim against them for full damages, including pain and suffering. Workers’ comp may have a right to be repaid from that recovery. See our third-party workplace injury lawyer page.
If you were driving for work when another driver hit you, workers’ comp and auto insurance can both be involved. The order in which they pay depends on the policies.
Usually not. Workers’ comp is generally the exclusive remedy against an employer, with limited exceptions. Claims against other parties are different.
No. A third-party claim may.
Talk with us about a third-party injury claim.
Get a free case evaluation or call 502-931-6788.
This page is general information about Kentucky law as of October 2026, not legal advice. Every case is different.
