Workers Comp Attorney Fees Wyoming are set by state law, not by the lawyer: no percentage cap; the hearing examiner awards a reasonable hourly fee at the rate set by the Office of Administrative Hearings, currently 180 per hour for attorneys (40 per hour for paralegals, travel paid at half rate), for a reasonable number of hours that may not exceed the benefits at issue in the contested case,
under W.S.
27-14-602(d); hourly rate set by Office of Administrative Hearings rules, Chapter 5, Section 3 (raised from 150 to 180 per hour in the August 2023 rule revision). This guide to workers comp attorney fees Wyoming explains who pays the fee, why you should never pay up front, who has to approve it, what costs fall outside the cap and what a $50,000 settlement actually nets after the fee.
Verified against Wyoming sources as of October 2026.
Wyoming at a Glance
| Fee cap | no percentage cap; the hearing examiner awards a reasonable hourly fee at the rate set by the Office of Administrative Hearings, currently 180 per hour for attorneys (40 per hour for paralegals, travel paid at half rate), for a reasonable number of hours that may not exceed the benefits at issue in the contested case (W.S. 27-14-602(d); hourly rate set by Office of Administrative Hearings rules, Chapter 5, Section 3 (raised from 150 to 180 per hour in the August 2023 rule revision)) |
| Who pays | the hearing examiner’s order decides: the state worker’s compensation account, the worker’s award, or the employer; for a hearing requested on time, the state’s claimant guide says the worker is not responsible for attorney fees or court costs |
| Up-front fee | not a contingency system; fees are hourly and awarded by order at the end of the proceeding, supported by a sworn, itemized list of services; once a fee is set, the attorney may not collect any more from the claimant (W.S. 27-14-608), so a separate up-front fee is effectively not allowed |
| Judge/board approval | YES (W.S. 27-14-602(d) and W.S. 27-14-608) — Wyoming Office of Administrative Hearings hearing examiner (or the Medical Commission hearing panel, or the reviewing court on appeal) |
| On a $50,000 settlement | Up to $NONE (the fee is hourly, not a percentage; e.g., 40 hours x 180 = 7200, and it may not exceed the benefits at issue) |
In This Wyoming Guide:
The Cap on Workers Comp Attorney Fees Wyoming Allows
no percentage cap; the hearing examiner awards a reasonable hourly fee at the rate set by the Office of Administrative Hearings, currently 180 per hour for attorneys (40 per hour for paralegals, travel paid at half rate), for a reasonable number of hours that may not exceed the benefits at issue in the contested case The rule is at W.S.
27-14-602(d); hourly rate set by Office of Administrative Hearings rules, Chapter 5, Section 3 (raised from 150 to 180 per hour in the August 2023 rule revision). Wyoming runs a monopolistic state fund, so fees are often paid from the state worker’s compensation account rather than taken out of the worker’s award.
Charging a claimant more than the approved fee is a misdemeanor, with a fine of up to 750, up to 6 months in county jail, or both (W.S. 27-14-608). Paralegal time is billed at 40 per hour, but clerical work cannot be billed. Confirm with the Division and a licensed attorney.
Who Pays Workers Comp Attorney Fees Wyoming
the hearing examiner’s order decides: the state worker’s compensation account, the worker’s award, or the employer; for a hearing requested on time, the state’s claimant guide says the worker is not responsible for attorney fees or court costs not a contingency system; fees are hourly and awarded by order at the end of the proceeding, supported by a sworn, itemized list of services; once a fee is set,
the attorney may not collect any more from the claimant (W.S.
27-14-608), so a separate up-front fee is effectively not allowed In some disputes the employer or insurer must pay the worker’s fee on top of the award — typically when a denial is found unreasonable; ask whether your case qualifies.
Who Approves Workers Comp Attorney Fees Wyoming
YES (W.S. 27-14-602(d) and W.S. 27-14-608) Wyoming Office of Administrative Hearings hearing examiner (or the Medical Commission hearing panel, or the reviewing court on appeal) The fee generally cannot be taken from medical benefits, only from indemnity and settlement money.
Workers Comp Attorney Fees Wyoming: The Rules at a Glance
Every rule on workers comp attorney fees Wyoming below comes from the statute or the agency’s own rules, not from a law-firm page:
| Fee cap | no percentage cap; the hearing examiner awards a reasonable hourly fee at the rate set by the Office of Administrative Hearings, currently 180 per hour for attorneys (40 per hour for paralegals, travel paid at half rate), for a reasonable number of hours that may not exceed the benefits at issue in the contested case |
| Statute or rule | W.S. 27-14-602(d); hourly rate set by Office of Administrative Hearings rules, Chapter 5, Section 3 (raised from 150 to 180 per hour in the August 2023 rule revision) |
| Who pays | the hearing examiner’s order decides: the state worker’s compensation account, the worker’s award, or the employer; for a hearing requested on time, the state’s claimant guide says the worker is not responsible for attorney fees or court costs |
| Contingency only | not a contingency system; fees are hourly and awarded by order at the end of the proceeding, supported by a sworn, itemized list of services; once a fee is set, the attorney may not collect any more from the claimant (W.S. 27-14-608), so a separate up-front fee is effectively not allowed |
| Approval required | YES (W.S. 27-14-602(d) and W.S. 27-14-608) |
| Approved by | Wyoming Office of Administrative Hearings hearing examiner (or the Medical Commission hearing panel, or the reviewing court on appeal) |
| Example: $50,000 settlement | Maximum fee $NONE (the fee is hourly, not a percentage; e.g., 40 hours x 180 = 7200, and it may not exceed the benefits at issue) |
Costs Outside the Cap
Litigation costs — medical records, expert and deposition fees, filing costs — are usually separate from the capped fee in Wyoming, and a fee agreement must say who advances them and who repays them from the award.
📨 Get Free Workers Comp Guides Alerts
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
What a $50,000 Settlement Nets After Workers Comp Attorney Fees Wyoming
Apply the Wyoming cap in the table to the settlement figure, then subtract costs and any medical lien; what is left is the real number. Represented workers often settle for more than unrepresented ones, which is why the fee is usually not the thing to optimize — the offer is.
When a Lawyer Is Worth the Fee
Workers comp attorney fees Wyoming law allows are small enough that a lawyer earns the fee on any denied claim, any permanent injury, any settlement offer you cannot evaluate and any case where the insurer disputes the doctor. A short, medical-only claim that the insurer is paying without dispute rarely needs one.
Reading a Wyoming Fee Agreement
Before you sign, check four lines against the workers comp attorney fees Wyoming rules above: the percentage (at or under the cap), the words “no fee unless we recover,” who advances costs, and the statement that the fee is subject to approval. If any line is missing, ask — and if the answer is wrong, the state agency’s information line will confirm the rule at no cost.
Got a settlement offer? Before you accept, it helps to know what your Wyoming case may really be worth. An attorney can review the offer, often at no upfront cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can a workers comp lawyer charge in Wyoming?
no percentage cap; the hearing examiner awards a reasonable hourly fee at the rate set by the Office of Administrative Hearings, currently 180 per hour for attorneys (40 per hour for paralegals, travel paid at half rate), for a reasonable number of hours that may not exceed the benefits at issue in the contested case. It is contingent and comes out of the award, not your pocket.
Do I pay workers comp attorney fees in Wyoming if I lose?
No. A contingency fee is owed only on money recovered. Costs may be handled differently — check the fee agreement.
Who approves attorney fees in a Wyoming workers comp case?
Wyoming Office of Administrative Hearings hearing examiner (or the Medical Commission hearing panel, or the reviewing court on appeal)
Official Wyoming Sources & Resources
- Wyoming Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Workers’ Compensation Division (contested cases go to the Office of Administrative Hearings): https://dws.wyo.gov/dws-division/workers-compensation/
- Wyoming Workers’ Comp Statute: https://law.justia.com/codes/wyoming/title-27/chapter-14/article-6/section-27-14-602/
- U.S. Department of Labor — Workers’ Comp: dol.gov
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org
This workers comp attorney fees Wyoming guide was last verified against official Wyoming sources in October 2026. Rules change — confirm the current figure with the state agency or a licensed attorney.
You May Also Like
More Wyoming Workers’ Comp Guides
- How to File a Wyoming Workers’ Comp Claim
- Wyoming Workers’ Comp Settlements
- Wyoming Workers’ Comp Requirements (Employers)
- Workers’ Comp Guides for All 50 States
Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and is not legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers Comp Explained is an independent educational resource, not a law firm or insurer. Workers’ comp benefits, settlement values, deadlines, and requirements vary by state and by the specific facts of your injury and change over time, and any settlement figures here are illustrative only.
Confirm your rights and any deadline with your state’s workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act.