Surprise Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

SURPRISE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION ATTORNEY

A Surprise workers’ compensation attorney is an invaluable asset if you or a loved one has recently suffered any type of injury at work. Our firm can help ensure that you are treated fairly and get the compensation you need after a workplace injury.

Though there is some risk of injury in every workplace, even those that appear to be reasonably safe, employers are required to ensure that all precautions are taken care of. When a workplace injury of any kind occurs in Surprise, AZ, the victim needs to know their rights and the recovery options available under the state’s workers’ compensation laws.

Representing Injured Workers in Surprise, AZ

The experienced attorneys at Arizona Injury Law Group have successfully assisted injured workers in all industries in their workers’ compensation claims. State law requires almost every employer in the state to have workers’ compensation insurance, and virtually every regular employee in the state is covered. However, this does not mean that filing a workers’ compensation claim will be easy or that this is your only recovery option.

If you are struggling with the effects of any work-related injury in Surprise, a workers’ compensation attorney is the ideal resource to have on your side as you seek compensation for the harm you experienced. A workers’ compensation claim is similar to most other types of insurance claims with a few notable exceptions. While it is technically possible for you to file this claim on your own, you have a better chance of success with an attorney’s help.

Our firm can work quickly to help gather any documentation or evidence you will need to support your claim and guide you through the filing process. We will resolve any disputes your employer and/or their insurance carrier may raise against your claim until you receive a fair determination of benefits. You can also rely on our firm to help determine whether you have grounds for legal recourse outside of the workers’ compensation claim process.

Understanding Eligibility for Workers’ Compensation in Surprise

As long as you are a covered employee, any injury you suffer while working or any medical condition you develop directly from your job duties and/or work environment is a covered issue under workers’ compensation insurance. However, it can be hard for some victims of work-related injuries to prove their eligibility. Some of the most commonly cited work-related injuries throughout the state include:

• Injuries from slip and fall accidents, and falls from ladders, scaffolds, and raised areas. Falls are a leading cause of catastrophic and fatal workplace injuries throughout the United States each year.
• Acquired medical conditions like cancer from dangerous work environments and chemical exposure. It may be difficult to prove that such a condition resulted directly from your work, but your Surprise workers’ compensation attorney will know how to make your case.
• Repetitive stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis from repetitive physical movement at work. These injuries can manifest gradually over time and eventually interfere with the victim’s ability to perform their job duties.
• Acute traumatic injuries from accidents in the workplace, such as harm from heavy equipment or falling objects.
• Injuries from vehicle accidents, which may include specialized work vehicles or standard passenger vehicles used by employees who are required to drive for work.

This is not an exhaustive list of all the types of injuries that can form grounds for workers’ compensation claims. If you are unsure whether your injury qualifies for benefits, it is important to consult an experienced Surprise workers’ compensation attorney as soon as you can.

What to Expect From the Claim Process

After any injury at work, you should report the injury to your supervisor immediately. They will create an incident report and provide you with the forms you will need to send to their insurance company for your claim. If your employer interferes with this process or retaliates against you for requesting to file a workers’ compensation claim, this can form grounds for a civil suit for employer retaliation.

You will need to undergo a medical examination from a workers’ compensation physician as part of your claim process. During this exam, the workers’ compensation physician will review your injuries and assign you a rating that reflects the severity of your condition. This disability rating will have a significant impact on your benefits determination from the insurance carrier.

Once you have completed the prerequisites for your claim, you can submit it to the insurance carrier. They may contact you and/or your employer for additional information before sending you their determination of benefits. Your Surprise workers’ compensation attorney can ensure their determination is fair and reasonable under the terms of your employer’s policy and Arizona’s workers’ compensation laws.

Benefits for Injured Workers in Surprise

The average injured worker who is approved for workers’ compensation benefits in Surprise can have all their medical expenses covered by their employer’s insurance carrier. This includes both immediate and future care they need to fully recover. Additionally, they can receive ongoing disability benefits if they are unable to work or unable to earn their usual income due to their injury.

Disability benefits are based on the claimant’s average weekly earnings during the year prior to their injury and the severity of the injury. If you are awarded partial disability benefits, you will need to report how much income you are able to earn each week, and the insurance company will issue a benefits payment to make up the difference. Total disability benefits are paid when the claimant cannot work, and each payment is about 66% of their usual weekly wage.

When you choose the Arizona Injury Law Group to represent you in a workers’ compensation claim, we will ensure that both your employer and their insurance carrier handle your claim in good faith. If you have grounds to pursue additional compensation outside of the workers’ compensation claim process, we can assist you with this as well.

State law typically prevents injured workers from suing their employers for work-related injuries, but this does not apply if the employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance or if they directly caused the injury. The Arizona Injury Law Group can carefully review the details of your injury and help determine whether you have grounds for legal recourse outside of the workers’ compensation claim process.

FAQs About Surprise, AZ Workers’ Compensation Laws

Do I Need a Lawyer to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Surprise?

While legal representation is not strictly required to file a workers’ compensation claim in Surprise or elsewhere in the state, trustworthy legal counsel will be an invaluable asset for this claim. Your attorney can help navigate the claim process, compel the insurance company to deliver a fair determination of benefits, and assist you in exploring any related avenues of recovery that may be available to you.

How Much Does Workers’ Compensation Pay?

The average injured worker in Surprise who is approved for workers’ compensation benefits will receive two forms of compensation. First, the insurance company will pay for all the medical treatment they need to recover. Second, they will receive disability benefits based on the severity of their injury and their ability to work and earn income. The total value of your claim will depend on various factors that an attorney can explain in detail.

How Long Can You Collect Workers’ Compensation?

If you are awarded partial disability benefits, these payments can continue until you fully recover and regain your previous earning capacity. When you have been awarded total disability benefits, these will continue until you are able to return to work. However, if the accident caused a permanent disability, you could be entitled to permanent disability benefits for the rest of your life.

Can I Sue My Employer in Surprise for a Work-Related Injury?

Workers’ compensation insurance typically protects employers from liability for their injured workers’ damages, but only if they have appropriate insurance coverage. If your employer does not have insurance, or if they intentionally caused your injury somehow, you could have grounds to file a civil suit against your employer. It’s also possible to have grounds for a third-party personal injury claim if anyone outside your work caused your injury.

Experienced Surprise AZ Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

The right Surprise workers’ compensation attorney is an invaluable asset no matter what your individual claim entails. The attorneys at the Arizona Injury Law Group have years of experience helping injured workers throughout the state with all types of work injury claims, and we’re ready to put this experience to work for you. Contact us today to schedule your free case review with an experienced Surprise workers’ compensation attorney.