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5 Things You Should Know About Workers’ Compensation in Phoenix

In Mesa, Arizona, a fire broke out at a business that sells new and used RVs. During the fire, at least four RVs were destroyed. While it took nearly 30 firefighters to get the fire under control, they fought hard to extinguish it. Although no propane tanks exploded during the fire, an employee was injured when it broke out. The employee was taken to the hospital to be treated for 2nd and 3rd degree burns.

 

When an employee is injured in a serious accident like a fire at work, it can have a huge impact on their life. The top priority is getting the medical treatment they require for their injury. Even if the accident doesn’t require being taken to the hospital, it’s still important to get medical treatment in a timely manner.

 

With many injuries, the treatment that’s required has ongoing elements. Whether ongoing treatment takes the form of medication, physical therapy or doctor’s visits, it can result in medical bills that total up to a very significant amount. Additionally, a workplace injury can cause other complications like preventing someone from being able to work for a period of time. All of these issues combined with being physically hurt can create a lot of stress.

 

Helping employees in this position is the purpose of Arizona’s workers’ compensation program. This type of coverage, which is mandatory for employers to carry, can assist injured employees. For anyone dealing with an injury that took place at work, here are five important things to know about workers’ compensation in Phoenix:

 

  1. The Deadline for Filing A Workers’ Compensation Claim in Phoenix

A workers’ compensation claim must be filed within 1 year of the injury occurring. In most cases, the sooner a claim is filed, the better.

 

  1. Getting a Claim Accepted or Denied

 

After a claim is filed, an insurance carrier has 21 days to investigate whether they’re going to accept or deny a claim. An injured employee should then find out the insurer’s decision from the Industrial Commission of Arizona within an additional 7 to 10 days.

 

  1. Appealing a Denied Workers’ Compensation Claim

If an injured employee is notified that their claim was denied, a hearing must be requested with the ICA within 90 days from the date of denial. It’s important to understand that the appeals process can take six months or even longer.

 

  1. The 3 Medical and Disability Stages

Temporary total disability (TTD), temporary partial disability (TPD), and permanent partial disability (PPD) are the three stages for a workers’ compensation claim. Depending on the specific claim, the stage involved may be determined by a doctor or independent medical examiner.

 

  1. A Phoenix Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Provide Guidance

Whether you’re planning to file a workers’ compensation claim or recently had your initial claim denied, a Phoenix workers’ compensation lawyer can help you navigate this process. Not only can a Phoenix lawyer provide guidance with filing, but in the event of a problem like a biased independent medical examiners acting on behalf of an insurance company, a lawyer can provide representation during a hearing or bad faith action.

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