New Hampshire workers’ compensation insurance can help cover medical care, lost wages and ongoing care costs after an employee has a work-related injury or illness.
It may help cover:
- Lost wages if an employee needs time off to recover from a work-related injury or illness.
- Repetitive stress injuries that develop over time, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Ongoing care, like physical therapy, if an employee needs treatment beyond the initial injury.
- Disability benefits if a work-related injury or illness keeps an employee out of work.
- Funeral costs and death benefits for an employee’s beneficiaries if their death was a result from a work-related accident.
New Hampshire Workers’ Compensation Statute of Limitations
New Hampshire workers’ compensation laws set deadlines for reporting workplace injuries and filing workers’ compensation claims. Here are key
workers' comp laws and deadlines that employees and employers should know:
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- An employee has two years from the date of an injury to notify their employer.
- If an illness develops over time, the employee has two years from the date they learn it’s work-related to notify their employer.
- The employee has three years from the date of injury to file a claim for disability, rehabilitation or medical benefits.
- If the insurance company denies the claim, the employee has 18 months to request a hearing.
- The employee can't petition to review a denial or award of compensation if more than four years have passed since the denial or their last compensation payment.
- The employer must file an Employer's First Report of Injury with the New Hampshire Department of Labor and their insurance provider within five days of learning about a workplace injury.7
Workers’ Compensation Benefit Payments in New Hampshire
Workers’ compensation benefits in New Hampshire typically begin on the fourth day of disability after a work-related injury or illness. The three-day waiting period may be waived if:8
- The disability lasts 14 days or longer
- The employee returns to temporary or alternative work within five days
An employee’s weekly compensation is 60% of their average weekly wage. To calculate their average weekly wage, add the employee’s gross wages from a 26- to 52-week period before the injury, then divide that by the number of weeks worked. If the employee has worked less than 26 weeks, their starting wage may be used instead.9
On average, The Hartford’s small business customers in New Hampshire pay about $1,029 a year, or about $86 a month, for workers’ compensation insurance.**
Your actual cost may vary based on several factors, including your:
- Payroll
- Industry
- Business experience
- Claims history
For example, a higher-risk business, like a logging company, will likely pay more for workers' comp than a lower-risk business, like an accounting firm.
What if You Can't Get Workers' Comp Through a Private Insurer?
If your business is new or has a long history of filing claims, you may not be able to get workers’ comp coverage from a private insurance carrier. In that case, you may need to get coverage through New Hampshire’s assigned risk pool. For more information, visit the
Insurance Department’s website or call
603-271-2261.
First Report of Injury Requirements in New Hampshire
New Hampshire employers must file a
First Report of Injury to the Department of Labor within five days of learning about a work-related injury or illness. Failure to file can result in fines up to $2,500.
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Once you complete the form, you can submit it by:
- Fax: 603-271-6149
- Mail: Workers’ Compensation Division, NH Department of Labor, 95 Pleasant St., Concord, NH 03301
- Email: WorkersComp@dol.nh.gov
Light-Duty Work After a Workplace Injury in New Hampshire
Employees recovering from a work-related injury or illness may be able to return to light-duty work while continuing to receive certain workers’ compensation benefits. Light-duty work is modified or limited work that fits an employee's recovery needs.
While light-duty pay may be lower than their regular wages, workers' comp benefits can help make up part of the difference.11
If you've been injured at work in New Hampshire, you can file a workers' compensation claim to request benefits under state law. The basic steps include:
- Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible.
- Get medical treatment for your injury or illness.
- Work with your employer and their insurance carrier to complete the claim filing process.
For more than 200 years, The Hartford has helped small businesses protect what they’ve built. Our New Hampshire workers’ compensation insurance is designed to help you support employees after a workplace injury or illness — while making claims easier to manage.
Here’s what small business owners in New Hampshire get with The Hartford:
