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Last Modified on Apr 29, 2026
If you’re injured or fall ill due to a work-related incident in Arizona, you are entitled to a claim through your workers’ compensation insurance. Regardless of where you work, you have some form of coverage to handle workplace injuries and illnesses. Recovering these benefits can sometimes be difficult, though. It can be beneficial to have a better understanding of Arizona workers’ compensation laws so you’re ready to handle any situation that arises.
A Quick Look at Workers’ Compensation in Arizona
Workers’ compensation is a mandatory benefits program that Arizona employers must provide if they have one or more employees. These benefits exist to provide ample compensation for employee injuries or illnesses that are sustained in the workplace.
In 2024, private industry employers in Arizona reported about 59,600 occupational injuries or illnesses according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, including 35,500 that resulted in days away from work, job transfer, or other restrictions. These are also known as DART cases.
Arizona had a rate of 2.6 nonfatal illnesses and injuries in the workplace per 100 full-time workers and a rate of 1.6 DART cases per 100 workers, according to the National Safety Council. This was compared to the national rates of 2.3 nonfatal injuries and illnesses per 100 workers and 1.4 DART cases per 100 workers.
In fiscal year 2023, employees in Arizona filed 62,803 workers’ compensation claims, according to the Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA). The ICA has a Phoenix and a Tucson office.
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, which means you can receive benefits regardless of who caused the incident that resulted in your injuries. It’s also an exclusive remedy for work-related incidents. This means that employees are not permitted to file a legal case against an employer for an incident that is already being handled through their workers’ compensation benefits.
Types of Workers’ Compensation Claims in Arizona
In Arizona, you can file two types of workers’ compensation claims: medical-only claims and time-lost claims. These claims cover your benefits in terms of recovering medical costs and lost wages while you are recovering from a work-related incident.
Medical-Only Claims
In medical-only claims, your benefits can cover all medical expenses related to your injuries or illness. In these cases, your injuries do not prevent you from working for more than a set period of time when you otherwise would have. The benefits you can recover include the cost of any doctor’s visits, emergency room and emergency medical services, medical supplies, medications, ongoing treatment, and more.
An injured worker is not responsible for any medical expenses once this claim is accepted. If they have already paid for some part of their own care, they can send any receipts to the insurance carrier to be reimbursed.
Time-Lost Claims
Time-lost claims cover an injured worker’s medical expenses as well as compensation for lost income if they can’t work while they are recovering. There are certain requirements that must be met to file a time-lost claim.
For starters, a doctor must be the one to state that you’re unable to work. You also must be out of work for more than seven days to be able to receive benefits. If you’re unable to return to work for more than seven calendar days, and it results in a loss of earnings, you can receive temporary compensation.
If you are unable to work for a full 14 days, your workers’ compensation retroactively covers the entire last two weeks of missed work. Otherwise, that first week is not covered, and you are paid back for any time after your seventh day of missed work.
What Income Benefits Can Employees Obtain After an Injury?
The benefits you can recover for time-lost claims depend on the severity of your injuries and the classification your injury is given. In Arizona, there are four types of wage compensation benefits available:
- Temporary partial disability. These payments apply when you are cleared to work light or modified duties at your job, and may not recover your full average monthly wages. These payments will be 66 ⅔% of the difference between those average monthly wages and the amount you currently earn during work. Payments are issued every 30 days.
- Temporary total disability. These benefits apply when you are declared as being on no-work status for eight or more days. Your benefits are 66 ⅔% of your average monthly wages, although there is a set limit to how much you can recover each month. For workplace injuries sustained in 2026, this limit is $6,131 a month. If you have one or more dependents, your monthly payments have an additional $25. These payments are issued every 14 days.
- Permanent partial disability. Payments for these injuries depend on whether the injury is scheduled or unscheduled. Scheduled injuries include those listed in state law and have set compensation. This includes injuries like the loss of your dominant arm, which results in 55% of your average monthly wages for 60 months, on top of the wages you are due for temporary total disability. Unscheduled injuries are those not listed by law, and the benefits rely on the loss of your earning capacity by professional evaluation. These payments are issued monthly.
- Permanent total disability. These injuries result in 66 ⅔% of your average monthly wage for the rest of your life. Total disability generally includes injuries like total or partial paralysis, loss of eyesight, physical loss of both hands or both feet, or a brain or head injury causing incurable mental insanity or imbecility.
Working With an Arizona Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Whether you are having issues getting a workers’ compensation claim accepted or you have general questions about the process, an Arizona workers’ compensation attorney can be a useful asset to have on your side. You can have peace of mind knowing you’re doing everything correctly and that you’re getting more out of your benefits.
It’s not necessary to work with a workers’ compensation lawyer, but it can simplify the process of filing a claim and accessing your benefits. This simplification is especially useful when you are dealing with a challenging injury or if your employer or their workers’ compensation insurance company is not being cooperative.
An Arizona workers’ compensation attorney can provide sound legal advice and guide you through any challenging aspects of your case. They can be especially helpful if your claim was denied or if you’re having trouble getting compensation from your employer.
FAQs About Workers Compensation Law
How Does Workers’ Compensation Work in Arizona?
Workers’ compensation is a benefits program offered to employees to cover expenses from workplace injuries or illnesses. A medical-only claim covers all medical costs related to the employee’s injuries or illness while they are recovering.
Time-loss claims cover medical costs as well as lost wages for time away from work. You can only file a time lost claim if you have missed more than seven consecutive days of work due to the incident.
Is Workers’ Compensation Mandatory in Arizona?
Every employer in Arizona must provide workers’ compensation benefits if they have one or more employees. That said, certain types of workers are exempt from needing workers’ compensation coverage. This includes casual laborers, domestic workers, independent contractors, partners in a partnership, and sole proprietors without employees.
Employees can also voluntarily reject their workers’ compensation benefits, but this agreement must be completed in writing between the employee and their employer.
How Long Does an Employee Have to Report a Workplace Injury in Arizona?
Employees must file their claims with the Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA) within one year of an incident. If you experience delayed injuries or symptoms of an injury that were not immediately detectable, you may be able to file within one year of becoming aware of an injury or illness. For example, you can file a workers’ compensation claim within a year of a PTSD diagnosis, even if the incident that caused the problems occurred well before that.
Is Workers’ Compensation an Exclusive Remedy in Arizona?
Yes, workers’ compensation is an exclusive remedy in Arizona. This means that by accepting your benefits coverage at your place of work, you agree to handle any workplace injuries or illnesses solely through those workers’ compensation benefits. Once you’ve filed a claim, you cannot file a legal case about the same issue. There are some cases where you can hold a negligent third-party liable for your injuries, although you must get permission from the ICA.
Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer: Reach Out to an Arizona Workers’ Compensation Lawyer to Learn More About Your Rights
If you need assistance navigating a workers’ compensation claim or are experiencing issues with accessing your benefits, you can hire a workers’ compensation lawyer.
Our team at Arizona Injury Law Group is familiar with Arizona employment laws, and we have experience handling complex cases of all kinds. Our attorneys are Board-Certified Specialists in Workers’ Compensation Law with nearly 70 years of experience collectively in these cases. If you’re ready to talk about your situation in more detail, Arizona Injury Law Group is here to help. Feel free to reach out to our office to talk to one of our workers’ compensation attorneys.
