Arizona Workers’ Compensation: Who’s covered?

Workers’ compensation in Arizona provides compensation for medical treatment and lost wages to workers who are injured at work. However, not everyone is covered by workers’ compensation. In fact, Arizona has very specific guidelines regarding who is covered and who isn’t. Below is an overview of who is covered by worker’s compensation in Arizona.

1) Volunteers – Volunteers are not typically covered by Arizona workers’ compensation insurance. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, volunteer firefighters and volunteers who work at licensed healthcare institutions are eligible for workers’ compensation in Arizona.

2) State employees – State employees who are injured on the job are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Examples of state employees include agency and state government personnel. In fact, not only are state employees covered, but they aren’t permitted to reject workers’ compensation benefits.

3) Part-time employees – In Arizona, employers must carry workers’ compensation coverage if they employ one or more people, regardless of whether they are part-time or full-time employees. A worker in Arizona is eligible for workers’ compensation insurance if he or she is in service to his or her employer at the time of the injury. Therefore, part-time employees are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if they’re injured on the job.

4) Independent Contractors – Some businesses utilize independent contractors in lieu of regular employees. However, since independent contractors aren’t employees, they aren’t entitled to the same benefits as employees. Therefore, employers aren’t required by Arizona law to provide workers’ compensation benefits to independent contractors if they’re injured on the job. However, employees are sometimes mislabeled as independent contractors and wrongly denied workers’ compensation benefits, so you should contact an Arizona workers’ compensation attorney if you have been denied benefits based on your status as an independent contractor.

5) Sole Proprietorships – A sole proprietorship is a business that is owned and operated by a single person. Since sole proprietors don’t have employees, they aren’t required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. However, if a sole proprietor in Arizona decides to hire a part-time or full-time employee, then he or she will be required to provide workers’ compensation insurance.

6) LLCs and Corporations – Limited liability companies are required to provide workers’ compensation coverage in Arizona. In addition, corporations with part or full-time employees must do the same. Employees of LLCs typically include directors, members, officers, shareholders, and managing members.

Arizona Worker’s Compensation Attorneys

Workplace injuries can be devastating, both physically and financially. However, they are even more catastrophic when an employer or insurance company has wrongly denied your claim. Therefore, if you or a loved one have had a claim denied, it is highly recommended that you contact an experienced Arizona worker’s compensation attorney as soon as possible, as you may be entitled to compensation. For a free consultation, please contact Arizona Injury Law Group, Attorneys at Law, PLLC, at 602-346-9009.