Practice Areas
Work Injury
Phoenix Workplace Injury Attorneys
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), close to 60,000 workers in Phoenix were injured on the job in 2021 in a non-fatal manner. Yet, just because a workplace injury is nonfatal doesn’t mean that it’s something that’s easy to recover from. Workplace injuries can cause disability, ongoing pain and suffering, and unexpected expenses
Know Your Legal Options
If you suffered a workplace injury in Phoenix or the surrounding area, schedule a free case evaluation with the experienced work injury attorneys at Hastings & Hastings to learn about your potential legal options and rights. Our Phoenix personal injury lawyers are proud of our history of helping our clients get the help and compensation they deserve and need.
Experienced Workplace Injury Attorneys
At Hastings & Hastings, our team has over 90 years of combined expertise in assisting workers obtain the compensation they deserve and return to their jobs. Our team of committed personal injury lawyers in Phoenix is dedicated to helping you recover and resume your normal life. Remember that taking prompt action is crucial to maximizing your workplace accident benefits. Delaying is not advisable, so make the call today.
Speak With a Licensed Attorney
Your initial consultation with Hastings & Hastings will always be conducted by an experienced work injury lawyer, never a paralegal or salesperson. It’s important to seek advice from a licensed attorney as only they can provide you with legal guidance. Don’t settle for anything less. Reach out to us today at 480-565-7638, or send a message through our contact form and we will get in touch with you.
Meet Our Founding Attorney
Founding attorney David G. Hastings created Hastings & Hastings in 1981. After graduating from the University of Arizona in business administration and law, Mr. Hastings began his legal career working for insurance companies, eventually shifting to represent victims of negligence. Since then, Mr. Hastings has become known as “The Discount King”, nicknamed by the Arizona Business Gazette, because he works hard to save his clients money.
In addition to working hard to advocate for his clients, Mr. Hastings is involved in local philanthropy. He is involved in supporting organizations such as Special Olympics Arizona and Phoenix Children’s Hospital, as well as helping build homes in Mexico with 1Mission.
What is Provided to Injured Workers by Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation provides several benefits if you are hurt on the job, including:
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Medical Care
Medical care, including emergency care, hospital care, and on-going medical care.
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Lost Wages
Lost wages averaged at your monthly wage if you miss more than seven days of work.
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Disability Payments
Disability payments, both permanent and temporary, if a doctor authorizes it based on statutory average earnings.
To determine your average monthly wage, you’ll need to consider the following factors: Regular hourly or salary pay, Overtime earnings, Bonus earnings, and Commissions. In general, the wage benefits in Arizona amount to two-thirds of your average monthly wage, subject to the maximum set by law.
Additional Workers’ Compensation Benefits and Claim Issues
In addition to medical care, lost wages, and disability payments, injured workers may also be entitled to other benefits or may need to address claim disputes. These benefits and issues can depend on medical documentation, the worker’s recovery, and the insurance carrier’s response.
You may also be entitled to supportive medical maintenance benefits in some cases.
In Arizona, when an injured worker is receiving workers’ compensation benefits, their treating physician may determine that although they no longer need active care, they may still require continuing supportive care to ensure their condition remains stationary. This essentially means that the injured worker has reached the maximum level of medical improvement, but additional care is necessary to maintain their current state of health.
This supportive care provides essential services like pain management, prescription medications, and therapies to help the worker stay at their best possible condition. Supportive care is usually required for severe or chronic injuries that are unlikely to improve significantly over time.
For a worker to receive supportive medical maintenance benefits, it is important that their physician documents the need for this type of ongoing care. The doctor will outline the required supportive care in a detailed medical report, which will be submitted to the insurance carrier. The carrier will then issue a 103 Notice of Supportive Medical Maintenance Benefits.
Sometimes, work injuries don’t completely prevent you from working, but you still need some financial support during your recovery. In such cases, Arizona workers’ comp rules provide temporary partial disability benefits (TPD) to employees who can do some work under the supervision of a doctor.
These TPD benefits can help bridge the gap between your earnings during the limited work capacity and your average monthly wage.
In some unfortunate cases, work-related injuries may lead to permanent disabilities that prevent you from returning to your regular work duties. Once it is determined that your injury is permanent and not likely to improve further, you may be eligible for permanent disability benefits.
In instances where an injured worker is unable to resume their regular work, they may qualify for vocational rehabilitation assistance. This program falls under the purview of the ICA Special Fund Division and is designed to provide support and resources for eligible employees seeking to find new employment or retrain for a different occupation.
Vocational rehabilitation programs usually involve a combination of counseling, training, job placement assistance, and other services tailored to an individual’s needs and abilities. These programs aim to help workers develop new skills, identify suitable work opportunities, and reintegrate into the labor force in a meaningful and sustainable way.
It’s important to note that engaging in vocational rehabilitation or retraining programs is optional. Declining to participate in these services will not impact an injured worker’s eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits.
In some cases, insurance companies may deny workers’ compensation claims for various reasons, such as insufficient medical evidence or disagreements over whether the injury or illness is work-related. If you find your claim is denied or you disagree with the amount of benefits you are receiving, you have the right to challenge the decision through an appeals process.
Common Phoenix Workplace Injuries Covered by Worker’s Compensation
Workers’ compensation is designed to take care of employees who are injured or made ill because of workplace conditions. Some workplace injuries are sudden accidents, while others may develop over time because of repeated strain or exposure.
- Being hit by a falling object
- Falling from ladders or scaffolding
- Crushing injuries
- Electrical burns
- Head injuries
- Knee injuries
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Vehicle injuries
- Workplace violence
- Slip and fall injuries
- Chemical exposure
Third-Party Liability in Arizona Work Injury Cases
In cases involving serious injury, workers’ compensation benefits may not provide adequate compensation. While you are generally unable to file a lawsuit against your employer, if another party or entity is responsible for the injury, you may be eligible to file a third-party work injury claim. Responsible third parties can include:
Other Drivers
if you were involved in a motor vehicle collision on the job.
Property Owners
if, for instance, your workspace is rented and a dangerous condition was present
Product Manufacturers
if a defective product or tool led to your injury.
Contractors
if someone from another company created a dangerous condition or caused your injury. This is especially common in construction site accidents. Our Phoenix construction accident attorneys can help with these cases.
What Should You Do If You Suffer from a Workplace Injury?
If you’re injured at work, take the following the steps:
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Notify Your Manager or HR
Let your manager or HR know right away. A workplace accident report and a workers’ compensation claim need to be completed as soon as possible.
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Call 911 If Necessary
If necessary, call 911 for immediate medical care and to get a formal accident report. This may be legally necessary in cases such as workplace violence, crushing injuries, and vehicle injuries.
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Contact ADOSH
Contact ADOSH even if your employer says they will do it. If your employer has three or more employees and you went to the hospital, your employer is required to report the accident to the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health.
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Schedule a Free Consultation
Schedule a free consultation with the experienced Phoenix workplace injury lawyers at Hastings & Hastings.
As someone who was hurt on the job, you may have more than one option. While you do have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim, you may have the right to file a lawsuit if there is a third party who was responsible for your illness or injury. However, this largely depends on the circumstances of your claim.
How is Workers’ Comp Calculated?
For workers’ compensation benefits, the amount received in each check is based on the worker’s Average Monthly Wage. The Average Monthly Wage is determined by taking total earnings for the past year and dividing it by the number of months worked.
This calculation is important because it directly impacts the compensation an injured worker receives after a workplace injury or illness.
Maximum Monthly Payment Increase in 2023
The Industrial Commission of Arizona is responsible for managing and enforcing workers’ compensation laws in the state. One of its duties is to set an annual statutory maximum average monthly wage amount, which can increase each year based on inflation rates so workers’ compensation benefits remain in line with the changing cost of living.
Starting on January 1, 2023, the maximum monthly payment for workers’ compensation benefits in Arizona increased by 4.5% to $5,393.37. This change will remain in effect until December 31, 2023. This substantial increase is the highest experienced in the past decade, exceeding the previous maximum set in 2011 by a total of 4.2%. This increase will have a significant impact on Arizona workers who are receiving workers’ compensation benefits, allowing them to more effectively meet their financial needs during their recovery.
Why is This Increase Important for Arizona Workers?
This increase in workers’ compensation benefits marked a significant win for injured employees in Arizona. With the rising cost of living, especially in major cities like Phoenix and Tucson, it is important for individuals on workers’ compensation to have benefits that reflect changes in living expenses.
The increase in maximum benefits means injured workers can maintain financial stability while they focus on recovery and reintegration into the workforce.
You pay nothing upfront and nothing out of pocket. Hastings & Hastings only gets paid if your case results in a recovery.
Hastings & Hastings is known for its 29% settlement fee, giving clients a more affordable way to get experienced legal representation.
Compared to firms that charge 33.33%, our lower fee structure gives Hastings & Hastings a meaningful cost advantage.
Our Accident & Injury Attorneys Can Help
While Phoenix workplace injuries can seem straightforward, they’re not always easy to get through. Sometimes, your employer or even the workers’ compensation insurance company will look for a reason to pay out as little as possible or outright deny your claim. Get the help that you need for your workplace injury by scheduling your free consultation with Hastings & Hastings now.
Free Consultation
Talk with Hastings & Hastings about your case
If you were hurt in an accident, our team is here to listen, answer your questions, and help you understand the next step.
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