Temporary Compensation

TEMPORARY COMPENSATION
Temporary compensation benefits must be paid every two weeks while the doctor has you on a no-work status. It is during this time that your doctor is actively treating you in the hopes of improving your medical condition so that you can eventually go back to work. There is no time limit on how long you can receive compensation; it is based on when a doctor believes you can be released to work.

While under active medical care, a doctor may release you to return to work, light duty or your regular job. If that happens, the status of your claim changes. Your insurance company will officially tell you of the change in your work status by issuing another Notice of Claim Status form informing you of the date you are released to return to work. You must make a sincere and conscientious effort to find work. You must report those efforts to the insurance company on a form provided by it. Once released to work, continuance of temporary compensation benefits is not automatic or guaranteed. The insurance company will review each case to determine if temporary benefits will continue.

If it is determined that you have a loss of wages because of your injury, the insurance company will pay 66-2/3% of the difference between the wages you are now able to earn and the average monthly wage. This compensation is paid once a month instead of every two weeks.

While you are under active medical care, it is important for you to remember that the insurance company has the right to have you periodically examined, at a reasonably convenient time and place, by a doctor of its choosing. Failure to attend the examination could result in suspension of your benefits, and you could be required to pay for the cost of the missed examination. The insurance company may accept the opinion of its consulting doctor and base a change in your claim status, or the closure of your claim, on that doctor’s opinion.

Again, if there is a change in the status of your claim, you will receive a “Notice of Claim
Status” from the insurance company identifying that change.

When you have recovered from your injury, the doctor will report this to the insurancecompany, and your claim will be closed to temporary compensation benefits as of the date your doctor discharges you from treatment. The insurance company will issue a new Notice of Claim Status telling you your claim is closed and the date of closure.

Remember, it is your responsibility to understand all notices. If you disagree, you must file your request for hearing with the ICA within 90 days from the date of the “Notice of Claim Status” or the Notice becomes final.

For more specific information regarding your Phoenix workers compensation claim contact Chris T. Johnson a Phoenix Workers Compensation lawyer.

Call: (602) 254-6461