Flagstaff Workers’ Compensation Attorney

FLAGSTAFF, AZ WORKERS COMPENSATION LAWYER

Arizona law provides much-needed benefits to injured workers who’ve suffered an injury or an illness at the workplace. Aimed at compensating for injuries, covering the costs of seeking medical attention, and making up for lost income, workers’ compensation is vital for Arizona employees. Employers are required by law to have this insurance, and having it protects them from being sued if an accident injures one of their employees.

If you’ve been injured or suffered an illness at your place of work, contact a Flagstaff workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible. Your attorney can help you file a claim and secure the benefits that are needed to recover.

Workers’ Compensation Claims Representation in Flagstaff, AZ

The team at the Arizona Injury Law Group offers confidence in their approach to filing a workers’ compensation claim in Flagstaff, AZ due to their comprehensive knowledge and experience in the claim filing process. Our attorneys have been working with injured workers from a swath of various industries. We understand how to properly navigate the state’s workers’ compensation system to ensure that you get the full benefits you deserve.

Unfortunately, most of those who choose to file on their own end up denied benefits or are only able to secure a small portion of the benefits that they are otherwise due, mostly because of inexperience and making common errors. Our firm knows the potential issues to avoid and can highlight the appropriate details of your case when filing it. This can ensure that your claim can be approved and for the maximum amount possible.

Common Workplace Injuries

Any injury or illness suffered while at work and performing job duties is covered under Arizona’s workers’ compensation insurance. If you’ve suffered an injury at your workplace, you are eligible to file a claim. Some of the most-cited workplace injury types fall under the following:

• Falls. One of the most common causes of injury, falls can cause broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, or fractures. These can include falls from a ladder, falls off a platform or other height, or slip-and-fall accidents due to unkept, wet, or uneven flooring.
• Vehicle accidents. Many jobs require employees to drive to different locations as part of their work. If you are injured in an accident while working, this constitutes a workplace injury. This also includes specialized vehicles, such as forklifts and construction vehicles.
• Heavy equipment accidents. Many workers work with and around heavy equipment or materials, which leads to the risk of potentially severe injuries. These can include boxes falling off shelves, dropped lumber or heavy metal, or accidents involving machinery, such as cutting tables, presses, or other dangerous equipment.
• Repetitive stress injuries. Daily tasks done over and over in the workplace can result in repetitive motion damage in certain joints and muscles. This can lead to several conditions that develop slowly over time, but they are nevertheless caused by performing work duties.
• Illnesses. Prolonged or repeated exposure to hazardous substances while working can lead to various illnesses. These qualify for a claim the same as any other workplace injury.

While not an exhaustive list of the kinds of injuries that could potentially be sustained at work, these are a few of the most common types. If you’ve experienced any injury, whether common or unique, no matter the severity, it is important that you speak with a qualified workers’ compensation attorney to ensure that you file the appropriate claim properly.

Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim

The first step in any injury, workplace or not, is to seek proper medical attention. This serves several purposes. The primary purpose is to get you the healthcare attention that you need. You will need to inform your workplace supervisor of the injury as soon as you are able. The physician must provide a medical examination, assigning a disability rating based on the severity of the injury and any of its potential long-term issues.

At this point, your employer is obligated to provide you with the necessary claim forms to submit to the insurance company. Your employer must also create a formal incident report that includes the specific details of your injury. At no point can your employer interfere with the claim process, including, but not limited to, discouraging you, retaliating against you, or firing you for filing a claim.

Once you have submitted the forms, along with the medical report to the insurance company, the carrier has 21 days to investigate the claim to determine its legitimacy, review your policy’s coverage, and accept or reject the claim, according to Arizona law.

Flagstaff Workers’ Compensation Benefits

After a workers’ compensation claim is approved, the insurance carrier will send a benefits determination. These benefits should include coverage for the following: 

• Medical treatment. Compensation is intended to cover a full recovery from the injury, meaning that it includes: 
  • Immediate and long-term treatment
  • Hospitalization
  • Follow-up care
  • Surgeries
  • Physical therapy
  • Necessary medication
• Disability. If the injury caused a temporary or permanent disability, leaving you unable to work, disability benefits will be provided. Depending on the disability rating assigned by the physician, you may be eligible to receive either:
  • Partial disability benefits. If you are able to work during recovery but at a reduced capacity, you will be eligible for partial benefits. Those claiming partial disability will be required to submit a report of their earnings to the insurance to maintain eligibility.
  • Total disability benefits. If you are unable to work at all during recovery, you will be issued total disability benefits. These benefits typically amount to two-thirds of your average wage, calculated from the 30 days preceding the accident.

Filing a Personal Injury Case Against a Third Party

In many cases, depending on how the accident occurred, you may have grounds to pursue a personal injury claim against a responsible third party. If successful, a personal injury claim could enhance your recovery by providing additional compensation for damages resulting from the injury beyond what is covered by workers’ compensation.

It is important to consider that workers’ compensation law protects your employer from liability for most workplace injuries that are sustained by their employees. However, it does not protect any other party from liability if negligence was involved in causing the accident. For example, you may be able to hold another party at fault for the accident if there were:

• Unsafe work practices. If unsafe work practices were performed by another employee and those actions led to your injury, you could file a personal injury claim against that employee.
• Manufacturer defects in equipment. If the use of defective or malfunctioning equipment led to an injury, you could file a personal injury claim against the manufacturer or other party responsible for the safe operation of the equipment.

By partnering with an attorney at the Arizona Injury Law Group, we can advise you on the specific details of your case, including whether a third party seems to be at fault for the accident. If so, we can then explore whether a personal injury claim, on top of your workers’ compensation claim, is appropriate and advisable.

FAQs About Flagstaff, AZ Workers’ Compensation Laws

What Are the Rights of Workers’ Comp Employees in Arizona?

First, as a workers’ comp employee in Arizona, you have the right to file a claim for a workplace injury or illness. Second, you have the right to pursue medical treatment for your injury or illness. Third, you have the right to return to your job if and when the doctor releases you as fit to work. Last, if you are unable to return to work, you have the right to receive temporary or permanent disability compensation.

How Long Can You Collect Workers’ Comp in Arizona?

Unlike many states, Arizona does not have a set limit on the amount of time that a worker can collect workers’ comp for an injury. While 3 to 7 years is a general rule for most states, as long as a doctor continues to say you are unable to work on account of your injury, you are entitled to collect benefits.

How Much Do You Get From Workers’ Comp in Arizona?

In Arizona, when you are on workers’ comp for an unexpected injury, you are eligible to receive up to two-thirds of your previous monthly wages. These wages are typically calculated from the previous 30 days of work prior to the date of the injury. The maximum monthly amount that you can receive from Arizona workers’ comp is $5393.37 per month.

Does Workers’ Comp Pay for Time Off for Doctor’s Appointments in Arizona?

In addition to paying for time off work due to an injury, Arizona workers’ comp will also cover any lost wages resulting from time taken off work for doctor’s appointments. Additionally, workers’ comp will cover the travel time to and from doctor appointments and any other expenses or lost wages that are incurred on account of the workplace injury.

Get Help With Your Flagstaff Workers’ Compensation Claim Today

The attorneys at the Arizona Injury Law Group are ready to speak with you regarding the details of your case and help you file a claim. Our comprehensive knowledge of workers’ compensation claims means that we can provide accurate and thorough legal counsel to secure the maximum benefits for your injuries. To get started, contact our office to set up a consultation today.