subject: About Arizona Workers' Compensation [print this page] Facing an on the job injury can leave you feeling scared and alone. If you can't work, you can't make a paycheck. And of course, you can't continue to support your family. Not to mention the medical bills are beginning to pile up. Hiring an Arizona workers' compensation attorney gives you a fighting chance.
Workers' compensation laws are in place to protect your rights as an injured worker. You may be entitled to recoup two-thirds of your lost wages and medical coverage for your injury that took place on the job. Unfortunately, it's not always easy to obtain. Sometimes you'll get denied coverage for one of many reasons.
Think of it this way. Chances are your employer knows the workers' compensation laws much better than you do. If they stand to lose money over your claim, they might try to find a way to escape paying you. And since you are no expert on Arizona workers' comp laws, you often don't stand a fighting chance on your own. Some companies will even try to force you to treat with a "company preferred" physician. The problem here is that the doctor might care more about his relationship with the company than getting you the treatment you require. So you're at an obvious disadvantage from the beginning.
An Arizona workers' compensation attorney can protect your rights in these situations. He will know the rules inside and out. So when your company's insurance carrier tries to avoid its responsibilities to you and your family he'll see it and take appropriate action for you. If your attorney is experienced in workers' compensation matters, then he has likely been down this path many times and no employer or insurance company is going to trick him.
A reliable workers' compensation attorney in Arizona will also inform you of your rights. For instance, he'll tell you that you don't have to see the company's preferred doctor for treatment (assuming the employer is not self-insured). By treating with your own chosen doctor, you eliminate the risk that your company's interests will sway the diagnosis and treatment plan.
In some unfortunate situations, you may not have a solid case. Not all injuries that occur at work are covered. And there are often disputes about whether care is causally related to the injury. For this reason, a trustworthy Arizona workers' compensation lawyer will allow for a free initial consultation. In this beginning stage, they will take a look at your case and let you know if you have a case that should be fought and can be won. That way you don't spend your time fighting a lost cause.
When you start searching for your workers' compensation attorney, make sure you find one who has extensive experience in the field. And not just any type of lawyou want a law firm with a State Bar of Arizona certified specialist in workers' compensation law. Obviously, the more experience a lawyer has, the more likely he is to identify and properly address the issues necessary to win your claim.
Remember -- don't let lawyer fees scare you away from the best attorneys. What most people don't realize is that there are rules that actually prohibit Arizona attorneys from overcharging their injured worker clients.
If you've been injured on the job, don't risk your financial stability. Hire a knowledgeable Arizona workers' compensation attorney to ensure your employer and its insurance carrier treat you lawfully.
