How to Apply for Arizona Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Important: We updated this article in January 2023 to ensure all information below is both current and accurate. If you got injured or sick at work in the Grand Canyon State, you need to focus on getting better, not worrying about your case. Most Arizona workers’ compensation claims are handled by the state. Here’s the information you need to manage the process and get the benefits you deserve.

Am I Eligible for Arizona Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

According to the Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA), all employers with one or more full- or part-time employees must have workers’ compensation coverage. However, state law allows you to waive coverage if you wish. You must miss work for 7 days in a row before you qualify for lost-wage benefits.

Pro Tip: Consider hiring a skilled workers’ comp attorney if you have preexisting conditions or repetitive motion injuries since your case may be harder to prove.  

Get the facts about workers’ comp coverage here.

How Do I File an Arizona Workers’ Compensation Claim?

If your workplace illness or injury requires emergency or urgent care, seek treatment immediately and tell the care team your injury or illness is work-related. Don’t forget to keep your receipts and bills!

While every case is different, here are the five basic steps for filing an Arizona workers’ compensation claim for employees who don’t waive their rights:

1. Report your illness or injury to your employer immediately. They will refer you to an authorized doctor for your initial treatment. Pro Tip: If you work for a self-insured employer, then you can see your own doctor for continuing care.
2. Complete and sign the Worker’s Report of Injury form. If your doctor doesn’t give you a form to sign, download and print your own here. The doctor must submit the form to the ICA within 10 days. Pro Tip: Don’t delay! You have one year from your accident date to see and doctor and file the paperwork or you lose your right to workers’ compensation.
3. Wait for a decision. The ICA should notify you by mail within 21 days if your claim’s approved or denied. If denied, you have 90 days to request an appeal hearing in writing. Download, print or complete the form here. The ICA will mail you a letter with the hearing information and the judge’s name once they schedule it. Pro Tip: Since your employer chooses the doctor who diagnoses your illness or injury, you may feel your compensation isn’t fair. Hiring a lawyer can help.

Still have questions? Download this pamphlet for injured workers on the ICA’s website.

What Else Should I Know About Arizona Workers’ Compensation?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics analyzes workers’ comp data on most U.S. states and territories COVID-19 influenced case volume since many people weren’t working. The number of employees who missed work, transferred or received restrictions rose steadily from 33,500 in 2017 to a high of 40,700 in 2020 before dropping slightly to 39,400 in 2021. Recordable cases in the Grand Canyon State declined from 74,700 in 2019 to 67,300 in 2021. This was mostly fueled by a drop in service industry cases, from 52,000 to 48,100 over the same period.

Do I Qualify for Legal Assistance?

Navigating the Arizona workers’ compensation system shouldn’t cause more pain. You may want to hire an experienced attorney to help you get the benefits you deserve. Your lawyer can negotiate with insurers, gather medical evidence and documentation to support your claim, and represent you at appeals hearings.

Pro Tip: Workers’ comp attorneys don’t receive payment unless you win a case settlement. If your case is successful, then you only pay a reasonable, one-time fee.

Ready to see if you may qualify? Then click the button below to start your free benefits evaluation online now:

Get Your Free Benefits Evaluation