Michigan Workers’ Compensation Guide 2026
Understand injury notice, medical control, waiting days, wage-loss calculations, claim filing, mediation, and hearings.
Report every work injury immediately
Notify the employer promptly and preserve written proof. Michigan’s current rights publication says notice should be provided within 90 days. A claim generally must be filed within two years from injury or manifestation of disability. Past-due benefits ordinarily cannot reach more than two years before the hearing application.
The employer files WC-100 when the injury causes death, specific loss, or at least seven days of disability. If the employer will not report the claim, the worker can file WC-117 directly with the Agency.
The employer controls medical care for the first 28 days
The employer or carrier chooses providers during the first 28 days after treatment begins. After that period, the worker may change physicians but must notify the employer or carrier of the change and provide the doctor’s name. The employer may dispute that choice.
Reasonable and necessary covered care can include physician, hospital, surgery, medicines, and qualifying appliances. Workers should not receive bills or copays for accepted work-related treatment.
Michigan compensates wage loss after a seven-day wait
For most modern injuries, the weekly rate is 80% of after-tax AWW within the injury-year maximum. The 2026 maximum is $1,201. AWW usually uses the highest 39 of the 52 weeks before injury, divided by 39, with special rules for shorter employment, multiple jobs, and discontinued fringe benefits.
No wage-loss payment is due when disability lasts seven days or less. When it exceeds seven consecutive days, payment starts with day eight. If disability reaches 14 days, the first week becomes payable retroactively. The first payment is due on the 14th day after employer notice or knowledge of disability or death.
A partially disabled worker may receive the difference between official pre- and post-injury table values, but must also establish injury-related wage loss and wage-earning-capacity limits.
Disputed claims use WC-104A
A worker can start a formal dispute by filing WC-104A, Application for Mediation or Hearing. Claims involving an uninsured employer, medical-only or rehabilitation-only issues, an unrepresented worker, or a dispute suited to settlement may first go to mediation. Unresolved matters move to a workers’ compensation magistrate.
Keep every notice, medical restriction, wage record, job-search record, offer of work, and payment statement. Benefit coordination, wage-earning capacity, and a valid work offer can materially change the result.
Use current Agency forms and verify suspicious contacts
Michigan WDCA publishes WC-117 for a worker-filed claim and WC-104A for mediation or hearing. Its 2026 scam notice warns that workers should never be asked to pay money, fees, or deposits before receiving benefits or a settlement.
Who chooses the doctor?
The employer or carrier during the first 28 treatment days; afterward the worker may change with notice, subject to dispute.
When does wage-loss payment begin?
After more than seven consecutive disability days, beginning on day eight. The first week becomes payable if disability reaches 14 days.
What if the employer will not file?
The worker may file WC-117 with the Agency. A disputed claim may require WC-104A.