Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Phoenix, Arizona

If you’ve been injured on the job and are now unable to work, you likely qualify for workers’ compensation in Arizona. In fact, in Arizona, all employers with one or more part-time or full-time employees must offer workers’ compensation insurance. As long as your injury occurred due to your work activities, you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.

The skilled attorneys at Cruz & Associates can guide you through the process and help you start your claim today.

What is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation is designed to cover any financial burden incurred by being injured at work. Because the injury would not have happened outside of your workplace, employers should be responsible for any medical bills, lost wages, and other financial necessities associated with your injury.

Employers usually use a third-party insurance company and pay into workers’ compensation without taking money from employees. If your company has failed to secure coverage, the Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA) has a special reserve for workers’ compensation benefits.

What is Covered by Workers’ Compensation?

If granted workers’ compensation, your benefits should cover all reasonable and necessary medical bills having to do with your injury or illness. You should not have to pay out of pocket for medical care. In addition to medical care, these benefits should pay you for lost wages as well as any long-term disability care.

You may also qualify for temporary benefits if you are unable to work for more than a week. Known as “lost time benefits,” you should get paid for time you are unable to work. These benefits are two-thirds of your monthly income determined by the month before your injury or illness.

The Workers’ Compensation Process

Filing a workers’ compensation claim in Arizona is relatively straightforward, but it’s still a good idea to have a legal team you trust. Keep in mind that a claim must be filed within one year of your injury. The general steps to filing a claim are:

Notify Your Employer

As soon as possible after your injury, notify your employer of the incident. Your employer will need to report the injury to the insurance company as well as the ICA.

Visit the Doctor

You should visit the doctor as urgently as necessary for your particular injury. Even if it is not an emergency, it’s important to visit the doctor soon after the incident so you can begin the claim process. At the doctor’s office, you can opt to fill out a Worker’s and Physician’s Report of Injury as opposed to an individual Worker’s Report of Injury form. Your doctor will then submit this to the ICA.

Filing a Claim & Receiving a Decision

After both necessary claims have been filed, you should receive an acknowledgement of receipt from the ICA within two weeks. From there, your employer’s insurance company will decide whether or not to grant or deny your benefits. This typically takes up to 21 days.

Contact our Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Today

If you need workers’ compensation in Arizona, the skilled attorneys at Cruz & Associates can help you. You shouldn’t have to worry about your financial situation as you recover from an injury or illness. Our team is here to handle it, making the process efficient and easy for you.

The first consultation with our team is always free. To get started, fill out our online contact form or call our Phoenix office today at (602) 777-6666.