Workers' Compensation

Phoenix: 800 W Washington St, Phoenix AZ 85007 - Phone: (602) 542-4661
Tucson: 2675 East Broadway, Tucson AZ 85716 - Phone: (520) 628-5181

Click for Phone List of ICA Divisions

What is Workers' Compensation and How Does It Work?
Workers'compensation is a "no fault" system in which injured workers receive medical and compensation benefits no matter who causes the job-related accident. If an illness or injury is job-related, the injured worker (also known as a claimant or applicant) receives medical benefits and may receive temporary compensation, if eligibility requirements are met. In some cases, a claimant may also receive permanent compensation benefits and "job retraining."

The two divisions within the Industrial Commission which are primarily responsible for monitoring the activities of insurance carriers and for deciding disputes that arise between claimants, employers and insurance carriers are Claims and Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). The Claims Division is responsible for the day-to-day regulation of the insurance carriers. It receives claims from attending physicians and injured workers. It notifies the appropriate insurance carrier/third party processing agent or self-insured employer so that the claim can be processed. The Claims Division ensures that workers' compensation claims are processed in accordance with existing state laws and rules. It processes approximately 6,000 documents per day and, annually, makes over 30,000 determinations on such issues as requests to leave the state, requests to change physician, average monthly wage, loss of earning capacity and bad faith and/or unfair claims processing practices.

The ALJ Division resolves legal dispute that arise in workers' compensation cases. A wide variety of issues may be referred to the Hearing Division, ranging from compensability, continuing benefits, supportive care, reopening of claims, and loss of earning capacity. When a request for hearing is filed in the Claims Division, the case is referred to the Hearing Division. For information, click on Hearings--Frequently Asked Questions below.

Click on a link below to obtain further information

FAQs about Hearings (English)

Preguntas con frecuencia hechas (Español)

FAQs about Workers' Compensation for Employers (PDF booklet)

Workers' Compensation for the Injured Worker

About Significant Work Exposure to Bodily Fluids . . .

A Guide to Workers' Compensation Hearings (video presentation)

Insurance Compliance

Special Fund

Uninsured Employees

Workers' Compensation Laws

Article 1. Workers' Compensation Practice and Procedure

Any questions regarding these issues or any questions that your carrier or self-insured employer cannot answer should be directed to the Commission Claims Division.

The claims staff CANNOT provide legal advice; however, they are available to provide general assistance regarding workers' compensation laws and rules.