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What is the State Compensation Fund?

When Arizona passed the first Workers Compensation Act in 1925, the Industrial Commission of Arizona acted not only as the state agency administering claims, but as a state owned insurance company with the authority to regulate other insurers providing workers comp coverage in Arizona.  This presented more than the mere appearance of a conflict of...

Direct Exam of Medical Witness in Arizona Workers Compensation Claim

Most Arizona work comp litigation requires expert testimony from a medical expert as part of the injured worker’s burden of proof. Asking questions of the medical expert is part science, part art. The following is a very basic outline that I follow when questioning my own medical expert: Professional qualifications (licensed to practice in Arizona,...

Cross Examining the Defense Medical Expert in AZ Workers Comp Hearing

In law school, there is a famous video called “The Ten Commandments of Cross-Examination”.  They are: Be brief. Short questions, plain words. Always ask leading questions. Don’t ask a question to which you do not know the answer. Listen to the witness’ answers. Don’t quarrel with the witness. Don’t allow the witness to repeat his...