Hawaii places no monetary limit on workers comp medical treatment, covering care for a lifetime. Use the 2026 Hawaii calculator to estimate TTD, PPD, and learn about TDI interaction.
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| Category | Hawaii (HI) Rule |
|---|---|
| System type | Exclusive remedy, no-fault. Disability Compensation Division, Dept. of Labor. |
| TTD benefit rate | 66 2/3% of average weekly wage. Set by Disability Compensation Division. Verify at labor.hawaii.gov. |
| Waiting period | 3 days. If disability exceeds 14 days, the first 3 days are paid retroactively. |
| PPD method | Scheduled losses per HRS 386-32. Unscheduled: weeks x rate. |
| Notice to employer | As soon as practicable. |
| Claim filing deadline | 2 years from disability onset; 5 years from accident (HRS 386-82). |
| Doctor choice | Employee selects physician. |
| Settlement type | Settlement agreements require DCD approval. Can settle indemnity while keeping medical open. |
| Unique rule | No monetary limit on medical treatment (lifetime coverage). Separate TDI program at 58% for non-work injuries. Dual-deadline SOL (2yr disability/5yr accident). Employee selects doctor. |
Hawaii's workers compensation system includes a feature that fundamentally changes how settlements are valued: there is no monetary limit on medical treatment, and coverage extends for the worker's lifetime under HRS Chapter 386. A worker who sustains a serious knee injury at age 30 can receive surgeries, therapy, medications, and specialist care for decades without hitting a ceiling.
This lifetime medical rule significantly affects settlement negotiations. In most states, settling medical means the worker gives up future coverage for a lump sum. In Hawaii, the value of open medical benefits can be substantial, especially for injuries requiring long-term treatment.
Hawaii also operates a separate Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) program under HRS Chapter 392 that covers non-work injuries and pregnancy at 58 percent of AWW. When a claim is disputed, the interaction between TDI and workers comp creates procedural complexity as the worker may receive TDI while the workers comp claim is litigated.
Hawaii pays TTD at 66 2/3 percent of AWW, subject to the DCD maximum. The AWW is calculated from the highest quarter of the four quarters before injury.
The waiting period is 3 days, retroactive if disability exceeds the specified threshold. Medical treatment is covered from day one with no monetary limit.
Temporary partial disability applies when the worker returns at reduced capacity, calculated as 66 2/3 percent of the wage difference. Hawaii has specific TPD provisions regarding modified duty offers.
Hawaii uses a scheduled loss table under HRS 386-32 for specific body parts with fixed weeks. PPD is impairment percentage multiplied by scheduled weeks and weekly rate.
For unscheduled injuries, the DCD evaluates overall disability and assigns weeks based on medical evidence and impact on earning capacity.
PTD is paid at 66 2/3 percent of AWW for the disability's duration. Combined with unlimited lifetime medical, PTD claims in Hawaii can have much higher total value than in capped states.
Hawaii settlements are submitted to the DCD for approval. Settling indemnity while keeping medical open is a key option. Given unlimited lifetime medical, this can be very valuable for injuries requiring ongoing treatment.
Disputed claims go to hearing with decisions within 60 days. Either party has 20 days to appeal to the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board, then to the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Mediation is also available.
Hawaii operates two parallel disability systems that can interact in complex ways. Workers compensation under HRS Chapter 386 covers work-related injuries and diseases. Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) under HRS Chapter 392 covers non-work injuries, illnesses, and pregnancy-related absences. TDI pays 58 percent of average weekly wage, compared to workers comp's 66 2/3 percent.
When a worker files a workers comp claim that the employer or insurer disputes, the worker may not receive workers comp benefits during the dispute period. In this situation, the worker may be eligible for TDI benefits as interim support. If the workers comp claim is later approved, the TDI benefits may need to be offset against the workers comp payment. This interaction creates procedural complexity that requires careful tracking of which benefits were paid under which program.
Hawaii's prepaid health care requirement (under the Prepaid Health Care Act) adds another layer. Most employees in Hawaii are entitled to employer-provided health insurance, which covers medical costs unrelated to work injuries. When a work injury involves pre-existing conditions or complicating factors, determining which medical costs are covered by workers comp versus the prepaid health care plan can be disputed.
The unlimited lifetime medical benefit in workers comp means that once a condition is accepted as work-related, all reasonable medical treatment for that condition is covered indefinitely. This creates a strong incentive for the insurer to carefully evaluate the scope of the accepted condition, because accepting a broader diagnosis means a larger long-term medical obligation.
Hawaii's claim filing deadline has two components under HRS 386-82: 2 years from the onset of disability, or 5 years from the date of the accident, whichever is later. This dual-deadline structure provides more flexibility than the single-deadline systems used by most states and is particularly important for injuries with delayed onset of disability.
For example, a worker exposed to a harmful substance in the workplace may not develop symptoms until years after the exposure. In a state with a 2-year statute of limitations from the date of injury, the filing deadline may pass before the worker even knows the injury exists. Hawaii's 5-year outer deadline from the date of accident provides additional time for these delayed-onset conditions to manifest. The 2-year deadline from disability onset then provides a secondary window once the worker becomes actually disabled.
Workers should be aware that both deadlines run independently, and the claim must be filed before the later deadline expires. For most acute injuries, the 2-year deadline from disability onset will control. For occupational diseases and delayed-onset conditions, the 5-year deadline from the accident may be the relevant deadline.
TTD: 66 2/3% of average weekly wage
Yes. No monetary cap, no expiration. Coverage extends for the worker's lifetime for all reasonable treatment.
TDI covers non-work injuries at 58% AWW. If a workers comp claim is disputed, TDI may provide interim benefits.
66 2/3% of AWW, subject to DCD maximum. 3-day wait. Medical covered from day one with no limit.
Yes. Hawaii allows settling indemnity while keeping medical open. Very valuable given lifetime coverage.
2 years from disability onset or 5 years from accident, whichever is later (HRS 386-82).
Yes. Employee selects the treating physician.
DCD issues decision within 60 days. 20 days to appeal.
No. Consult a licensed attorney in Hawaii for legal advice.