Workers' Compensation Process in Arizona

If you’re hurt or get sick on the job in Arizona, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits to cover your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages. However, applying for benefits can be a confusing process that is fraught with obstacles. Getting help from a qualified workers’ compensation lawyer can simplify your life and get you on the path to the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve.

Talk to Matt Fendon Law Group today. Our trusted attorneys can answer your questions and assist you throughout the entire workers’ compensation process. Our firm is exclusively dedicated to helping injured workers in Arizona. You can count on us to stand up for you.

Since 2008, our legal team has been successfully obtaining maximum results for our workers’ compensation clients. Our founding attorney, Matt Fendon, is a certified workers’ compensation specialist and has been recognized for excellence by Super Lawyers and the National Trial Lawyers.

Let’s get started on your claim today. Call or contact us now for a free consultation.

Am I Eligible for Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

Almost all workers are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits under Arizona law. The state requires any business that employs one or more people to carry workers’ comp insurance. Both full-and-part-time employees may be entitled to benefits.

In most cases, employers pay premiums to a workers’ compensation insurer, and the insurer pays benefits to injured workers. However, some large employers are self-insured. Employees who are not offered workers’ comp benefits through their employer can obtain coverage through a special fund managed by the Industrial Commission of Arizona.

How Do I Prove My Injury is Work-Related?

Workers’ compensation benefits in Arizona operate under a no-fault system. This means that you do not have to prove that your employer was at fault for your injury. However, you will have to show that your injury was work-related.

There are several steps you can take to help establish that a workplace injury or illness is related to your job. These include:

• Getting a diagnosis from your doctor: Once you’ve begun treatment for your injuries and your doctor rules that you cannot go back to work, you and your physician can complete a Worker’s and Physician’s Report of Injury Form. This form will be sent to the Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA), which is the state body that oversees workers’ compensation claims. It will include information from your doctor outlining the nature of your injuries and how they occurred.
• Providing your own account of what happened: In addition to getting a note from your doctor, you can also provide your own explanation of how your injury occurred. This is done by filling out a Worker’s Report of Injury Form and submitting it to the ICA. You should also provide a written statement of your injury to your employer and their workers’ compensation provider as soon as possible.
• Getting testimony from witnesses: If anyone saw your injury occur, their testimony can help bolster your case. Get them to write a statement for you.
• Look for security cameras that may have recorded your injury: Many employers have security cameras on the premises, and these cameras can be used to help substantiate a work-related injury. If your injury happened within sight of a security camera, obtaining the footage can help prove your case.

If you’re hurt or ill, initiating the workers’ compensation process can be a challenge. The good news is that a workers’ compensation lawyer can help you right from the beginning. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, an attorney can alleviate your stress by ensuring that the paperwork is filed accurately and on time.

How Much Time Do I Have to File My Claim?

Generally speaking, you should notify your employer of any injury as soon as possible. However, this isn’t always practical, and in some cases, a work-related injury can take weeks or months to manifest. State law requires that you notify the ICA of any work-related injury within one year of when you knew (or should have known) about the injury.

What are Bad Faith Insurance Practices?

Sometimes insurance companies will attempt to avoid paying a claim or undervalue your claim by using unfair tactics. These are commonly known as “bad faith” insurance practices, and they include things like:

• Not responding promptly to letters or phone calls concerning your claim
• Delaying payment of the benefits you’re due for your injuries
• Delaying authorization for payment of medical treatment you need
• Unfairly evaluating the extent of your injuries to deny you the full amount of compensation you’re entitled to
• Terminating benefits early for an illegitimate reason
• Interfering with an injured worker’s right to choose their own doctor

If you have experienced any of these actions from your employer’s workers’ compensation provider, contact a lawyer right away.

How Can a Lawyer Help Me With My Case?

It’s best to hire an attorney from the start of your workers’ compensation claim. But a lawyer can assist at any stage of the process. At Matt Fendon Law Group, we can:

• Help you file all necessary forms completely and promptly
• Make sure you treat with the best medical doctors and practitioners for your conditions.
• Negotiate with the workers’ compensation insurer to secure the maximum possible benefits
• Represent you at a hearing before an administrative law judge if you need to appeal
• Help you obtain a permanent disability award if applicable.
• Help you settle your case and get the best value for it.

Contact a Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Arizona

With help from one of the acclaimed workers’ compensation lawyers at Matt Fendon Law Group, you can rest assured knowing that you have a fierce advocate fighting for you.

Get your free case review today by calling toll-free or visiting our contact page.