Lower back issues are among the most common physical impairments reported by workers—and they have the potential to be completely debilitating. As explained by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), lower back injuries require an immediate diagnosis and the proper treatment and follow-up care. You may not be able to continue working while you recover.
This raises a very important question: How much does workers’ comp pay for lower back problems? The answer depends on a number of factors—including your pre-back injury income and the severity of your back problems. Here, our Phoenix workers’ compensation lawyers highlight the most important to know about workers’ comp payouts and lower back injuries in Arizona.
Starting Point: Arizona Workers’ Comp Benefits for Medical Care and Wage Loss
Workers’ compensation claims are handled under state law. If you sustained a significant lower back injury on the job, it is crucial that you understand your rights and responsibilities under the Arizona workers’ compensation system. As a starting point, you will be entitled to the following benefits:
- Medical Coverage: In Arizona, workers’ compensation covers all medical expenses that are reasonably necessary and reasonably related to your back injury. This includes physical therapy and rehabilitative care—which are often required in lower back injury cases.
- Wage Loss: Does your work-related back injury prevent you from earning a paycheck? If so, you can claim total temporary disability (TTD) benefits worth two-thirds of your average weekly wage. Arizona has a minimum and maximum statutory benefit for wage loss.
- Vocational Rehabilitation: Beyond medical coverage and wage replacement, a worker who sustained a lower back injury in Arizona may also be eligible for vocational rehabilitation benefits—to help them retrain and transition to a less physically-taxing career.
Workers’ Comp Settlements and Lower Back Injuries in Arizona
In Arizona, an employee who suffered a severe lower back injury on the job may be entitled to a workers’ compensation settlement. In general, a workers’ comp settlement is appropriate in cases where an injured worker is dealing with some form of permanent (or likely) permanent as a consequence of their injury. A lump sum workers’ comp settlement for a permanent impairment may be paid out in a back injury case. These settlements could be $20,000, $30,000, or even significantly higher depending on the specific circumstances. It is always a case-by-case matter. Do not settle a lower back injury claim without first consulting with an experienced Arizona workers’ comp attorney.
Consult With Our Arizona Workers’ Comp Attorneys Today
At Snow, Carpio and Weekley, PLC, our Arizona workers’ comp lawyers are aggressive, experienced advocates for injured workers and their families. If you or your loved one sustained a lower back injury at work, we are here to help. Contact us today to arrange your no-cost, no-commitment case evaluation. From our law office locations in Phoenix, Flagstaff, Tucson, Lake Havasu, and Yuma, we represent injured workers throughout the surrounding communities in Arizona.
