Arizona Work Injury Lawyers
Strong representation for employees and contractors who suffer job-related injuries
Workers in Arizona work in many different industry sectors – manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, retail, professional services, construction, truck driving, and other jobs. Whether you are an employee injured in the scope of your employment or an independent contractor injured while performing contracted services, you have legal rights.
At Verderame Law Group Arizona Injury Lawyers, we file personal injury claims, product defect claims, third-party claims, and workers’ compensation claims for injured workers. We seek compensation for all the financial and personal damages that Arizona law permits. Contact our Phoenix and Tempe work injury lawyers to assert your right to compensation.
How can we help?
- What does an Arizona workplace accident lawyer do?
- What are the common types of workplace accidents?
- What types of dangerous products can cause workplace accidents?
- What injuries do workplace accidents cause?
- How does my job status affect the type of claim I can file?
- What is a personal injury claim?
- What is a workers’ compensation claim?
- Do you have an Arizona work injury lawyer near me?
What does an Arizona workplace accident lawyer do?
Our Arizona work injury lawyers work for injured workers in the following ways:
- We determine your job status – employer or independent contractor.
- We determine what type of claim you can file – a personal injury claim, a third-party claim, or a workers’ compensation claim. Third-party claims include product liability claims against manufacturers of defective tools, machines, and equipment. Third-party claims also include personal injury claims against non-employees, such as drivers of vehicles who don’t work for your company.
- We prove fault when necessary. Generally, you need to prove fault in personal injury and third-party claims. You don’t have to prove fault in workers’ compensation claims.
- We verify your medical injuries and the medical care you need. We work with your doctors and our network of doctors to show the full scope and severity of your injuries.
- We seek compensation for your lost wages. Typically, in personal injury and third-party claims, you can seek full compensation for your income losses. In workers' compensation, we seek temporary and permanent disability benefits for injured workers.
- We seek pain and suffering damages in personal injury claims and third-party claims.
- We argue your case in the appropriate court or administrative forum if there is no settlement.
- Our lawyers anticipate and work to counter the arguments employers and other defendants will make to try to deny or limit your claim.
- We negotiate settlements with insurance companies.
- We argue your case in the appropriate court or administrative forum if there is no settlement.
- Our lawyers take other steps, depending on your type of claim.
Our Arizona work injury lawyers seek all the compensation you deserve so you can pay your bills and restart your life.
What are the common types of workplace accidents?
The types of workplace accidents vary, depending on the type of work you do. Common workplace accidents include:
- Slip and fall, and trip and fall accidents. These accidents are often due to wet floors, debris, wires, tools, and inventory on the floor; poor lighting; broken tiles; and other causes.
- Falls from heights. These include falls from scaffolds, ladders, and upper stories.
- Being struck or pinned by an object. The objects may include machines, tools, vehicles, and equipment.
- Electrical accidents. These may include power lines, electric tools, and faulty equipment.
- Explosions and fires. These may be due to flammable chemicals or many other sources.
- Chemical or biological exposures. These include exposure to dangerous chemicals, toxins, and infections.
- Motor vehicle accidents. These can include accidents with vehicles used on the job (such as forklifts and many different types of trucks). These accidents may also include being injured by drivers, such as when a driver gets too close to a work zone construction site.
- Overexertion
- Ergonomic injuries
- Workplace violence
- Excessive noise
- Extreme temperatures
- Confined spaces
A common type of workplace accident involves accidents due to defective or dangerous products. We discuss this type of workplace accident in more detail in the next section.
What types of dangerous products can cause workplace accidents?
Workers regularly use different types of tools, machines, and equipment to do their jobs. When these products malfunction, workers (employees and contractors) can file a product liability claim against the manufacturer. Also, if these products cause injuries, whether or not it’s because of a defect, employees can file a workers’ compensation claim.
Some of the workplace tools and products that may be dangerous include:
- Forklifts
- The many different types of trucks used at construction sites
- Cranes
- Scaffolds
- Ladders
- Power tools
- Welding equipment
- Landscaping equipment
- Jackhammers
- Nail guns
- Hazardous materials
At Verderame Law Group Arizona Injury Lawyers, we work with product safety experts to show that a work product was defective when the accident happened and that the defective product caused your injuries. We also review, when necessary, the appropriate standards for using the product that caused you harm.
What injuries do workplace accidents cause?
Our Arizona work injury lawyers handle all types of catastrophic, permanent, chronic, temporary, and serious injuries. Some injuries can heal with treatment. Other injuries can last a lifetime.
Common workplace injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injury and other types of head trauma
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis and herniated disks
- Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
- Burn injuries
- Broken bones/fractures
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Back, neck, and shoulder injuries
- Tissue, nerve, muscle, ligament, and tendon damage
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Loss of vision
- Loss of hearing
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Lacerations, cuts, and bruises
- Respiratory disorders
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Heart disorders
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Many other injuries
Tragically, some workplace accidents may be fatal.
How does my job status affect the type of claim I can file?
Your right to compensation generally depends on your job status. Workers are typically classified as either employees or independent contractors. The common rule for determining your job status is whether your employer controls when, where, and how you do your job, though Arizona considers the totality of the facts. If your employer controls your job performance, you may be classified as an employee. Otherwise, you may be classified as an independent contractor.
The types of claims we file, depending on your job status, are:
- Employees can file a workers’ compensation claim against their employer.
- Independent contractors may be able to file a personal injury claim against the hiring party if that party retained control over the work site or contributed to the injury through negligence.
- Both employees and independent contractors can file personal injury claims against third parties. These third parties may include:
- Manufacturers of defective machines, equipment, or tools
- Any person or company that doesn’t work for the employer, such as a negligent driver who strikes a construction worker
- Other responsible parties who aren’t employers
- Non-workers can file a personal injury claim that occurs on a worksite against the company that manages the site, such as if a pedestrian is struck by debris that falls on the non-worker.
What is a personal injury claim?
A personal injury claim requires that accident victims show that someone owed the victim a duty of care, that the duty of care was breached, and that the breach caused the victim’s injuries.
What compensation can I receive in a personal injury claim?
Our personal injury lawyers seek the following compensation in personal injury claims:
- All your medical bills of every nature by every healthcare provider
- Your lost income and benefits, including compensation if you cannot work again
- Your daily physical pain and emotional suffering
- Any scarring or disfigurement
- Any property damage
- Any loss of bodily function
- The inability to enjoy life’s pleasures
- Loss of consortium (marital companionship and intimacy)
We may also seek punitive damages, where Arizona law permits.
You can choose your own doctors in a personal injury claim.
What is a workers’ compensation claim?
In Arizona, employers have a duty to provide workers’ compensation coverage for their employees. Generally, employees must file a workers’ compensation claim instead of a personal injury claim. Employees can file a personal injury claim against third parties (someone other than their employer).
There is no need to prove fault in a workers’ compensation claim. You do need to promptly notify your employer of the accident. You have to file your formal claim within one year of the date of the injury with the Industrial Commission of Arizona.
We can explain when you can change doctors from a company doctor to a doctor of your choice.
What compensation can I receive in a workers' compensation claim?
Our workers’ compensation lawyers seek the following money if you are an employee injured during the scope of your employment:
- All your reasonable and necessary medical expenses.
- All your temporary disability benefits while you’re working with your doctors to return to work and maximize your recovery. Temporary disability benefits are generally two-thirds of your average monthly wage, subject to the maximum monthly wage limit set by Arizona law.
- All your permanent disability benefits if you have a permanent injury that prevents you from returning to work. A permanent injury must be a scheduled/covered injury, or there must be an evaluation as to the severity of your impairment. The amount and length of compensation vary. We can explain what amount you can receive.
Our attorneys also seek death benefits for eligible family members if a workplace accident is fatal.
Do you have an Arizona work injury lawyer near me?
We meet clients at our two offices.
- Our Phoenix office is conveniently located at 316 E Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85012.
- We also have an office at 5500 S Lakeshore Dr., Tempe, AZ 85283.
We meet injured workers away from the office when necessary. If you’re unable to make it to us, we can also speak with injured workers by phone and through video consultations. We’re here to explain your rights and guide you calmly and clearly through the claims process.
Contact our experienced Arizona work injury lawyers now
Verderame Law Group Arizona Injury Lawyers has been helping injured employees and contractors since 1991. We understand what type of claim you can file, what evidence you need, and what compensation you should receive. For help now, call our Phoenix work injury lawyers or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation.
We handle work injury claims on a contingency fee basis.