Did you sustain an injury on the job and are you curious about the waiting period for worker’s compensation in Arizona? You are not alone. The Arizona Department of Health Services reports that approximately 60,000 workers are required to seek professional medical care for a job-related injury in the state each year. The short answer is that there is a seven (7) calendar day waiting period for wage loss benefits. Medical coverage takes effect right away. Here, our Lake Havasu City workers’ comp attorney provides a guide to the most important things you need to know about waiting periods in Arizona.
No Waiting Period for Medical Benefits
As a starting point, it is important to emphasize that there is no statutory waiting period for injured workers to claim medical coverage through workers’ compensation. In Arizona, a worker who was hurt while on the job has an immediate ability to access medical care. Workers’ comp medical benefits in Arizona cover all the necessary medical care and services, including hospital bills, prescription medications, and rehabilitation therapy.
A Seven-Day Waiting Period for Time Loss Benefits
Arizona requires a seven-day waiting period for time loss benefits, which entail financial compensation for lost wages due to the inability to work. What are the implications? An injured worker will not receive compensation for the first seven consecutive calendar days that they are unable to work.
Retroactive Workers’ Comp Benefits Will Be Paid If You Miss At Least 14 Days
In Arizona, if a worker is unable to work for at least 14 consecutive days due to a job-related injury, they will be eligible for retroactive workers’ compensation benefits. This provision ensures compensation for workers throughout their inability to work, including the initial seven-day waiting period. This policy aims to offer additional financial support to workers facing extended periods of disability due to work-related injuries.
No Waiting Period for PPD Benefits, But Must Reach Maximum Medical Improvement
Unfortunately, some job-related injuries and occupational diseases are so severe that they may leave a worker with permanent impairments. In Arizona, an injured worker may qualify for permanent partial disability (PPD) if they cannot make a full recovery from the injury/illness. In Arizona, there is no statutory waiting period for PPD benefits. That said, injured workers must attain maximum medical improvement (MMI) before they can begin receiving these benefits.
Broadly defining it, MMI signifies when a worker’s medical condition stabilizes, and there is no reasonable expectation of further improvement. Upon reaching MMI, workers found to have a permanent partial disability become eligible to receive PPD benefits. The elimination of a waiting period for PPD benefits guarantees that workers can promptly receive the financial assistance they need once their medical condition stabilizes.
Get Help From a Workers’ Comp Lawyer in Arizona Today
At Snow, Carpio and Weekley, PLC, our Arizona workers’ compensation attorneys are compassionate, experienced advocates for people hurt on the job. If you have questions about the waiting period for workers’ compensation. Call us at (877) 370-5788 or contact us online to set up your free consultation. We operate law offices in Tucson, Phoenix, and other locations in Arizona, dedicated to safeguarding the rights of injured workers across the state.