In Arizona, if you suffer an injury at work, your injury may be covered under workers’ compensation. Arizona requires employers to get workers’ compensation insurance for their workers, but it is the worker’s responsibility to file a claim.
“No Fault” System
It means that regardless of who was at fault in causing the injury, the injured employee will be entitled to benefits in most cases. There are some exceptions, for example, when the injury is “purposely self-inflicted.”
Statute of Limitations
Under Arizona Workman’s Compensation law, the injured worker must file claims with the ICA within 1 year from the date of accident. After 1 year, the workers’ comp claim is assigned to the Workman’s Compensation insurance company.The insurance company may reassign the right to the injured worker and their attorney after that. The lawsuit must be filed against the responsible defendants within 2 years from date of the accident.
Industrial Commission of Arizona
The ICA or Industrial Commission of Arizona regulates employee/employer rights, such as workers’ compensation, and payment of wages. The ICA enforces all applicable laws and regulations not specifically delegated to others, with respect to the welfare of employees within the state of Arizona.
Acceptable Claims
Acceptable claims may include –
• medical only or no time lost claims (payment for medical expenses only)
• time loss claims (payment for medical expenses and temporary compensation benefits for lost wages)
Legal Representation
Under the workers’ compensation law, you are not required to have an attorney to represent you. you can represent yourself. However, the Workers’ Compensation Law is complex and difficult to navigate. In addition, remember that your employer will have an attorney specializing in Workers’ Compensation Law, representing them. So, it makes sense to consult the experts or experienced workers’ compensation attorneys you can trust, if you decide to pursue a workers’ compensation claim.
Your attorney can help you understand –
• whether you can file a claim
• the type of benefits you can get – temporary partial disability, temporary total disability, permanent partial disability or permanent total disability
• what your benefits would include – medical treatment, lost wages, payment for travel costs, tax deductions etc.
• whether you can change your doctor
• how to complete documentation and case paperwork
• what to do in case your claim has been rejected or denied
• what to do if you haven’t been able to file a claim within a year of the accident
• how to file a lawsuit
• and most of all, how to get what you deserve according to workers’ compensation laws
To learn more about Phoenix workers’ compensation, consult the best workers’ compensation attorney in Phoenix, AZ, call Arizona Injury Law Group at 602-346-9009 right away.