Settlement of Workers Compensation Claim

Many times, it is in the interest of both the injured worker and the insurance carrier to settle either part or all of a claim.  All settlements must involve a bona fide dispute between the parties and must be approved by a Judge of the Industrial Commission of Arizona.  Settlement of a claim prior to the claim being accepted are called “compensability settlements” and are the only settlements that can include future active medical care.  Other issues that can be settled include entitlement to temporary compensation, supportive care, and Loss of Earning Capacity.  For accepted claims, future active medical care can never be settled.  Because there are numerous factors which determine what a claim is worth, and because insurance companies are for-profit businesses trying to pay as little as possible,  it is always a good idea to consult an attorney prior to settling a claim.