Regardless of the nature of your job, workplace injuries are quite common.

Each state offers work comp benefits to workers, including federal employees. The benefits may vary, depending on which state you are in. But you can claim work comp benefits for medical treatment, a portion of the lost wages, and death benefits for surviving family members.

Workers’ compensation claims for state employees in Arizona

Arizona workers should–

1. file their workers’ compensation claims within 1 year of being injured at the workplace
2. notify their employer as soon as possible about the injury
3. complete the Worker’s Report of Injury and send it to the ICA (Industrial Commission of Arizona) to file a claim
4. may have to complete a Worker’s and Physician’s Report of Injury form at the doctor’s office.

Once the ICA has your form, your employer’s insurer is notified of the claim and they have to accept or deny the claim within 21 days.

Arizona offers two types of workers’ compensation claims –
• medical only claims (coverage only for medical expenses) – the employer’s insurance carrier will pay your medical bills for the work-related injury until your treatment is complete
• time loss claims (coverage for medical expenses as well as lost wages) – you get this if you’re not able to return to work for more than 7 days; you may be able to claim two-thirds of your average monthly wage based in the 30-day period prior to the injury.

Workers’ compensation claims for federal employees in Arizona

Workers’ compensation works differently for federal and state employees.

FECA (Federal Employees Compensation Act) governs the work comp benefits of federal employees. According to FECA, an injured federal worker may go back to the same job or an equal job after they recover from the workplace injury and stand to receive the same rights and benefits that they would if they had never left. These benefits are administered by OWCP (Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs).

FECA allows federal workers to claim compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, and death benefits for survivors, in the event of a work-related injury. The injured employee can seek treatment from the doctor of their choice. However, the federal agency employer may ask the employee to undergo an examination by a specific doctor.

If the federal employee can’t return to their job after an injury, they may be placed on leave without pay, but they will receive benefits.

If a federal worker sustains a disabling, traumatic injury, they may claim regular pay for up to 45 days. If they need more than 45 days to recover, they can use sick or annual leave, or leave without pay and claim compensation.

Whether you’re a state, local, or federal employee, or work for a private employer, talk to a work comp attorney about your right to claim expenses if you have been injured on the job.

To learn more about Phoenix workers compensation attorney, consult the best workers compensation lawyers in Phoenix, AZ,call Arizona Injury Law Group at 602-346-9009 right away.