If you work for a company in Arizona, you may be entitled to receive financial or other assistance if you are ever injured at work. You may also be able to receive such help if you develop a work-related illness. 

The workers’ compensation program requires the employee with the injury or illness to initiate the claims process. 

Physician or emergency room visits and claim initiation

As explained by the Industrial Commission of Arizona, if you seek medical care from a doctor or in an emergency room due to an on-the-job injury, you should inform the provider that your issue arose from a work situation or event. While there, you should receive a Worker’s and Physician’s Report of Injury form, also commonly called the “pink form”. Submission of this form officially begins your application for workers’ compensation benefits. 

Claim initiation sans doctor visit 

You may utilize a Worker’s Report of Injury form to begin your workers’ compensation benefit application if you do not receive a pink form from a medical provider. 

Important timing factors for workers’ compensation claims

Regardless of which form you submit, you should receive some communication from the Industrial Commission of Arizona within 14 days. The insurance provider must reply with an approval or denial of benefits within 21 days. Your report of injury must be made within one year of the accident date. For illnesses, you must report details within one year of learning about your condition. 

More information about the steps you may need to take to initiate your claim for workers’ compensation benefits and the time it may take to receive feedback on your claim may be found at the injured worker’s assistance page of our Arizona workers’ compensation website.