Claim of Hazzard v. Adams Russell Cable Services

**What Happened** An employee of Adams Russell Cable Services was injured at work in January 1987. However, he waited until August 1995—over eight years later—to file a claim for workers' compensation benefits. The Workers' Compensation Board denied his claim, saying he filed too late. The employee appealed this decision to a higher court. **What the Court Decided** The appellate court sided with the Workers' Compensation Board and upheld the denial. The court confirmed that workers must file their workers' compensation claims within two years of their injury. Since the employee waited more than eight years to file his claim, he missed this deadline and lost his right to benefits. **Why This Matters for Workers** This case highlights a critical deadline that all workers need to know about. If you're injured at work, you typically have only two years from the date of your injury to file for workers' compensation benefits. Missing this deadline can cost you your right to medical coverage and wage replacement benefits entirely. Workers should file claims as soon as possible after a workplace injury, even if they're unsure about the severity or long-term effects of their injury.