The Step-by-Step Guide to Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Arizona
- Arizona Workers Comp
- May 21, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: May 22, 2021
There are specific steps to take for both the employee and the employer when there is an industrial accident or illness that needs to be covered by workers’ compensation insurance in Arizona. We've assembled everything you need to know right here.
What the employee must do
It is the injured worker’s responsibility to file a claim within one year of the date of injury, although he or she should do so as soon as possible. The injured worker should also notify the employer as soon as possible that he or she has been involved in a work-related injury or has become ill.
A claim is made either by:
filling out and signing a Worker's and Physician's Report of Injury at the doctor’s office
obtaining a Worker's Report of Injury from the Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA), and filing either report with the ICA
The employer is required to file an Employer’s Report of Injury. However, this is not a claim. It is only a report of the injury.
When either claim form is received by the ICA, the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier is notified of the claim. The carrier has 21 days to accept or deny the claim.
If the insurance carrier accepts the claim, it is responsible for payment of compensation and the payment of medical bills in accordance with the Arizona Fee Schedule.
If the insurance carrier denies the claim, the injured worker must file a Request for Hearing within 90 days from the date of the denial notice.
The Industrial Commission of Arizona administers and enforces state laws relating to the protection of life, health, safety and welfare of Arizona's employees, including workers' compensation.
What the employer must do
As soon as an employee reports an industrial injury or illness, the employer is required by law to provide certain information to the injured worker.
This information includes:
the name and address of the workers’ compensation insurance carrier
the policy number
the date the coverage will expire
An employer is also required to notify their workers’ compensation insurance carrier and the Industrial Commission of Arizona within 10 days after being notified of the work-related injury or illness. This is done by using the Employer’s Report of Industrial Injury form, which is available from the ICA and online at www.azica.gov.
For fatalities, an employer is required to notify the ICA Claims Division immediately by telephone or telegraph. Other reporting obligations could be required under the Arizona Occupational Safety and Health Act, which all employers should become familiar with.
An employer can direct an injured employee to a physician of the employer’s choice for a one-time evaluation. Following that visit, the injured worker may return to that physician or choose to receive treatment from his or her personal physician. There are exceptions to this rule for a self-insured employer that has complied with the requirements of Arizona state law.
Wondering what's covered by workers' comp in Arizona? Check out our guide here.