Hurt on the job? You have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim to seek coverage for your medical care, wage replacement, and, potentially, other benefits. Navigating the workers’ comp claims process can be challenging. You may come across many unfamiliar terms. At Snow, Carpio and Weekley, PLC, we believe that knowledge is power. Our firm is devoted to protecting the rights and interests of injured workers. Here, our Tucson workers’ comp lawyer offers a comprehensive guide to terms that you may come across in the workers’ compensation claims process in Arizona.
You Should Know these Workers’ Compensation Terms in Arizona
Medical Benefits
Through a workers’ comp claim, injured workers need compensation for medical costs. In Arizona’s workers’ compensation system, medical benefits cover all reasonable and necessary medical care related to a work-related injury or illness. Along with other things, medical benefits can include doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitative care.
Average Monthly Wage (AMW)
Your income determines your workers’ comp benefits. The Average Monthly Wage (AMW) in Arizona is a calculation used to determine an injured worker’s compensation benefits. It represents the worker’s average earnings per month at the time of the injury
Compensable Injury
A compensable injury in Arizona is one that arises out of and in the course of employment, making it eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. To qualify for workers’ comp benefits, the injury must be directly related to job duties or occur while performing work-related activities.
Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits are provided to Arizona workers who are completely unable to work for a temporary period due to a work-related injury. These benefits compensate for lost wages during the recovery period until the worker can return to work.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) in Arizona refers to a lasting impairment that partially limits a worker’s ability to perform certain job functions. PPD benefits compensate the worker for the permanent loss of function or use of a body part.
Permanent Total Disability (PTD)
Permanent Total Disability (PTD) occurs when a worker in Arizona is permanently and completely unable to perform any gainful employment due to a work-related injury. PTD benefits provide lifetime compensation to the injured worker.
Independent Medical Examination (IME)
An Independent Medical Examination (IME) in Arizona is a medical evaluation conducted by a physician who is not involved in the injured worker’s treatment. The purpose of the IME is to provide another medical opinion of the claimant’s status.
Notice of Claim Status
The Notice of Claim Status is a formal document issued in Arizona’s workers’ compensation process to inform parties about decisions affecting a claim. A notice may address either the acceptance (approval) or denial of workers’ compensation benefits.
Scheduled Injury
A scheduled injury in Arizona refers to specific types of injuries listed in the state’s workers’ compensation statutes with predetermined compensation amounts. These injuries typically involve the loss or loss of use of particular body parts, such as limbs, eyes, or hearing.
Unscheduled Injury
Not all injuries are scheduled. In Arizona, an unscheduled injury is a work-related injury not listed in the statutory schedule of specific injuries. These injuries often involve the back, neck, or internal organs and can result in more complex medical evaluations.
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations set the time limits within which an injured worker must file a claim. Generally, a worker must notify the employer of the injury within 90 days and file a claim with the Industrial Commission of Arizona within one year of the date of injury.
Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA)
The Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA) is the state agency responsible for administering workers’ compensation laws in Arizona. The ICA oversees the processing of claims, adjudication of disputes, and enforcement of certain workplace safety regulations.
Dependent Benefits
Dependent benefits in Arizona are workers’ compensation payments made to the surviving dependents of a worker who dies as a result of a work-related injury or illness. These benefits provide financial support to the deceased worker’s spouse, children, or other eligible dependents.
Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)
A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) in Arizona is a series of tests conducted to assess an injured worker’s physical abilities and limitations. Among other things, the FCE helps determine the worker’s capability to perform work-related tasks.
Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)
Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) in Arizona signifies the point at which an injured worker’s medical condition has stabilized and is not expected to improve significantly with additional treatment. Reaching MMI does not necessarily mean full recovery.
No-Fault System
Injured workers do not need to prove wrongdoing by an employer to qualify for benefits. Our state operates under a no-fault workers’ compensation standard. As long as you were hurt within the course and scope of your employment, you can qualify for benefits.
Occupational Disease
An occupational disease in Arizona is an illness or condition that arises out of and in the course of employment due to exposure to harmful conditions inherent in the work environment. Examples include asbestosis, repetitive motion injuries, or hearing loss from prolonged noise exposure.
Third-Party Claim
A third-party liability claim in Arizona arises when an injured worker seeks compensation from someone other than the employer or a co-worker who is legally liable for the injury. Injured workers can file both a workers’ comp claim and a third party liability lawsuit.
Compromise and Settlement
A compromise and settlement in Arizona workers’ compensation is an agreement between the injured worker and the employer or insurance carrier to resolve the claim. The settlement typically involves a lump-sum payment in exchange for releasing the employer from future liability.
Schedule a Confidential Consultation With Our Tucson Work Injury Lawyer
At Snow, Carpio and Weekley, PLC, our Tucson workers’ compensation attorney is committed to investing time, resources, and attention to detail into every case. Were you hurt while on the job? We can help. Call us at (877) 370-5788 or contact us online for a no cost, no strings attached case review. From our conveniently located Tucson law office, we represent injured workers in Pima County and throughout the entire region in Arizona.
