Arizona Workers Compensation Laws 2025 – All You Need to Know

If you’re injured or fall ill due to a work-related incident in Arizona, you are entitled to a claim through your workers’ compensation benefits. Regardless of where you work, you have some form of coverage to handle workplace injuries and illnesses. That said, it can be beneficial to have a better understanding of Arizona workers’ compensation laws so you’re ready to handle any situation that arises.

Whether you are having issues getting a workers’ compensation claim accepted or you have general questions about the process, an Arizona workers’ compensation attorney can be a useful asset to have on your side. You can have peace of mind knowing you’re doing everything correctly and that you’re getting the most out of your benefits.

A Quick Look at Workers’ Compensation in Arizona

Workers’ compensation is a mandatory benefits program that Arizona employers must provide if they have one or more employees. These benefits exist to provide ample compensation for employee injuries or illnesses that are sustained in the workplace.

In 2020, private industry employers in Arizona reported about 68,800 occupational injuries or illnesses, including 40,700 that resulted in days away from work, job transfer, or other restrictions. These are also known as DART cases. In 2023, they reported  55,900 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in Arizona, including 31,000 DART cases.

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, which means you can receive benefits regardless of who caused the incident that resulted in your injuries. It’s also an exclusive remedy for work-related incidents. This means that employees are not permitted to file a legal case against an employer for an incident that is already being handled through their workers’ compensation benefits.

Types of Workers’ Compensation Claims in Arizona

In Arizona, you can file two types of workers’ compensation claims: medical-only claims and time-lost claims. These claims cover your benefits in terms of recovering medical costs and lost wages while you are recovering from a work-related incident.

In medical-only claims, your benefits can cover all medical expenses related to your injuries or illness. This includes the cost of any doctor’s visits, emergency room and emergency medical services, medical supplies, medications, ongoing treatment, and more.

An injured worker is not responsible for any medical expenses once this claim is accepted. If they have already paid for some part of their own care, they can send any receipts to the insurance carrier to be reimbursed.

Time-lost claims cover an injured worker’s medical expenses as well as compensation for lost income if they can’t work while they are recovering. There are certain requirements that must be met to file a time-lost claim.

For starters, a doctor must be the one to state that you’re unable to work. You also must be out of work for more than seven days to be able to receive benefits. If you’re unable to return to work for more than seven calendar days, and it results in a loss of earnings, you can receive temporary compensation.

If you are unable to work for a full 14 days, your workers’ compensation retroactively covers the entire last two weeks of missed work. Otherwise, that first week is not covered, and you are paid back for any time after your seventh day of missed work.

Working With an Arizona Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

It’s not necessary to work with a workers’ compensation lawyer, but it can simplify the process of filing a claim and accessing your benefits. An Arizona workers’ compensation attorney can provide sound legal advice and guide you through any challenging aspects of your case. They can be especially helpful if your claim was denied or if you’re having trouble getting compensation from your employer.

FAQs

How Does Workers’ Compensation Work in Arizona?

Workers’ compensation is a benefits program offered to employees to cover expenses from workplace injuries or illnesses. A medical-only claim covers all medical costs related to the employee’s injuries or illness while they are recovering.

Time-loss claims cover medical costs as well as lost wages for time away from work. You can only file a time lost claim if you have missed more than seven consecutive days of work due to the incident.

Is Workers’ Compensation Mandatory in Arizona?

Every employer in Arizona must provide workers’ compensation benefits if they have one or more employees. That said, certain types of workers are exempt from needing workers’ compensation coverage. This includes casual laborers, domestic workers, independent contractors, partners in a partnership, and sole proprietors without employees.

Employees can also voluntarily reject their workers’ compensation benefits, but this agreement must be completed in writing between the employee and their employer.

How Long Does an Employee Have to Report a Workplace Injury in Arizona?

Employees must file their claims with the Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA) within one year of an incident. If you experience delayed injuries or symptoms of an injury that were not immediately detectable, you may be able to file within one year of becoming aware of an injury or illness. For example, you can file a workers’ compensation claim within a year of a PTSD diagnosis, even if the incident that caused the problems occurred well before that.

Is Workers’ Compensation an Exclusive Remedy in Arizona?

Yes, workers’ compensation is an exclusive remedy in Arizona. This means that by accepting your benefits coverage at your place of work, you agree to handle any workplace injuries or illnesses solely through those workers’ compensation benefits. Once you’ve filed a claim, you cannot file a legal case about the same issue.

Reach Out to an Arizona Workers’ Compensation Lawyer to Learn More About Your Rights

If you need assistance navigating a workers’ compensation claim or are experiencing issues with accessing your benefits, an Arizona workers’ compensation lawyer can be a great asset to have on your side. Our team at Arizona Injury Law Group is familiar with Arizona employment laws, and we have experience handling complex cases of all kinds.

If you’re ready to talk about your situation in more detail, Arizona Injury Law Group is here to help. Feel free to reach out to our office to talk to one of our workers’ compensation attorneys.