Chad Snow - AZ Workers Compensation and Social Security Attorney

Arizona Legislature Tries to Screw Injured Workers

2012-02-20T21:41:00.000-07:00

There is an old saying that while you might not take an interest in politics, politics definitely takes an interest in you. That is very true for injured workers during this session of the Arizona legislature. Two bills in particular could result in very negative changes for those injured on the job. Representative Karen Fann from Prescott has introduced the bills, almost definitely at the behest of ALEC, a national organization funded by large corporations that tries to enact changes in state legislatures which will enrich said large corporations, often at the expense of working people.

The first bill would force all injured workers to treat with doctors chosen for them by the insurance carriers - a sort of workers comp HMO. You can imagine the disastrous results this would cause for injured workers. Most carriers would enlist a panel of extremely conservative doctors whose primary concern would be to cut costs for the carrier in order to maintain the relationship. These doctors would provide a minimal amount of treatment and then tell the worker that they are fine and can go back to full work - even if they aren't. This happens all the time currently when workers allow their care to be directed by the insurance company.

The second bill would force treating doctors to follow pre-determined guidelines set by an out-of-state group - again with the goal being cost reductions for the carrier. It would remove any independent judgement on the part of the doctor and severely limit their ability to treat injured workers according to their experience and on a case by case basis.

As soon as Karen Fann and the rest of the legislature enlists in an HMO where their doctors are told what treatment they can do, I'll advise my clients to follow right behind. In the meantime, we'll keep fighting!

Chad T. Snow and X. Alex Carpio are attorneys who limit their practice to workers compensation and Social Security Disability. With offices in Phoenix and Tucson Arizona. They can be reached at (602) 532-0700 or (520) 647-9000.

I'm Baaaaaaaack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2012-02-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

After a prolonged absence from the blog, I'm back to make periodic observations about workers compensation issues in Arizona. For the last few months, I've been dedicating much of my time to the successful recall of state Senate President Russell Pearce, of which I served as Chairman. More about that in a later blog. I'll also be updating everyone on the recent activity at the legislature and a number of bills that have been introduced which would significantly reduce the rights of injured workers to select their own medical providers. My partner, Alex Carpio, has led the charge against those bills and appears to be having some success. I will also start making some posts on issues regarding Social Security Disability, which Snow & Carpio has added as a practice area in the last two years. A lot has happened so look forward to more frequent posts on these and several other issues.

Chad T. Snow is an attorney limiting his practice to the representation of injured and disabled workers in Arizona. His firm is the only workers compensation firm with offices in both Phoenix and Tucson and can be reached at (602) 532-0700 or (520) 647-9000.

Chad Snow's 11/21/11 interview on Fox 10

2011-11-21T10:01:00.002-07:00

Citizens for a Better Arizona Looks to Recall Arpaio and Brewer: MyFoxPHOENIX.com

See Chad's Interview on Horizonte

2011-11-18T15:56:00.000-07:00

CTV News - Compensation board staff suffer after hostage episode

2011-11-17T09:16:00.000-07:00

CTV News - Compensation board staff suffer after hostage episode

Think twice before eating a donut at your desk....

2011-11-16T09:56:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but in our office here at Snow and Carpio, it is a constant battle to watch our weight. Between the amazing breakfast burrito place around the corner or our favorite Mexican food restaurant Rito's; my pants always seem to be a little tight. It's not just what we eat, it's the fact that we don't have a physical job. I hardly think a roofer has to worry about eating a big lunch like we do. He is going to be up and down ladders all day and will quickly burn off his calories. Or even a nurse. She is going to be on her feet all day walking through the halls to see patients. Unfortunately for us, we sit at our desk and the only thing moving at a rapid pace is our fingers from typing.

...and if you don't think your productivity at work is affected by your weight, think again! Employees who are moderately to extremely obese have reduced productivity on the job, even compared to overweight or mildly obese workers, reports a study in the January Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).

Additionally, employees with moderate to extreme obesity also had increased health-related absenteeism, compared with other workers. Presenteeism days employees are at work but performing at less than full capacity is increasingly viewed as an important contributor to costs related to employee health.

Researchers found that men sitting at their desks more than six hours a day are nearly twice as likely to be overweight than those who sit for less than 45 minutes a day. While women fared slightly better—spending on average 20 more minutes on their feet at the office than men—researchers conclude that a sedentary job is a major health concern for both genders.

And it’s no secret that sedentary jobs (and lifestyles) have contributed dramatically to the accelerating obesity rate of the past 20 years. Put emphasis on the word ‘dramatically’—a study conducted by the University of Chicago in 2001 found that a worker in a sedentary career may end up with a Body Mass Index 3.3 units higher than someone in a highly active job. If you’re 5'5" this can mean an increase in weight from 140 pounds to 155 pounds! Well, that explains it for me!!

So what can we do?

1.
Be sure to eat. It’s easy to slog through a day of meetings, e-mails, and phone calls to discover at 4 p.m. that you haven’t eaten since breakfast. (I never have that problem!) But, your body needs energy to get you through the day. Make it a priority to have a healthy and tasty meal—along with 1-2 healthy snacks. It is not a sin to opt for such shortcuts as microwave meals, as long as you read labels to avoid items with excess calories and sodium.

2.
Compensate, compensate. Get physical to compensate for your sedentary workday. Join a gym, take an early morning run, or find time for fitness fun with your family. Buy one or two pieces of home exercise equipment that will allow you to exercise no matter what the weather. One of the gals here at work using the time while waiting for her kids at soccer practice to jog. Since their practices tend to vary locations, she get a change of scenery and it makes the time go faster for her. Way to go!

3.
Rework your network. Chances are, your friends and co-workers need help with their love handles just as much as you do. So, try some new activities that don’t revolve around food. Organize a bi-weekly volleyball game, walk during lunch, or play a quick round of mini-golf after work. Our entire office just participated in a kick-ball tournament. It was so much fun and not only health, but a great way to enjoy each other outside of the office.

4.
Bring your buddies on board. While you’re coaxing co-workers to modify those after-work habits, see if you can’t involve them in a friendly get-fit challenge during work hours. By sharing healthy potluck lunches, exchanging recipes, and providing moral support, you’ll find that getting in shape can be a team-building triumph. In the past, we have all divided up a list and bring items like fruit, healthy lunch meats and snacks like veggies. It makes it so much easier if your coworker isn't eating a big piece of chocolate cake while you're trying to stick to carrot sticks!

5.
Don’t eat due to boredom. Keep water at your desk; it’ll give your hands something to do when you’re stressed and will divert you from eating when you’re not really hungry. Staying hydrated at is very beneficial to your productivity as well. Check out the article on our blog regarding dehydration.

6.
Everything small can add up. If you want to change your life in big ways, try some small changes, like substituting a yogurt and black coffee with skim milk half the time. You’ll save about 470 calories (660 vs. 160)!

7.
Lose the technology. Modern advances are great, but do you control them or do they control you? As much as possible, take advantage of opportunities throughout the day to get up and move! Deliver that memo in person, sit on a stability ball at your desk to improve your posture, park at the far end of the parking lot for a brisk walk to your building. You’ll be surprised how quickly minor changes can improve your energy level and help you get fit.

8.
Choose wisely. Whether you normally go out for lunch or eat in, try to make your meal choices conscious ones. Learn how to eat out wisely, and remember how much better you feel come mid-afternoon when you eat healthy.
One in five Americans is obese; three in five are either overweight or obese. But sitting at a desk doesn't have to mean you’ll be just another statistic! Incorporating these simple strategies into your workday will bring you one step closer to being a healthier, more energetic you.

In the absence of Chad Snow, blog posted by April Snow, Business Manager at Snow and Carpio Law Firm. For questions regarding Workers' Compensation claims or any topics you have seen on our blog, please contact our Phoenix office @ 602-532-0700 or our Tucson office @ 520-647-9000 or contact through our website at www.snowcarpio.com.

Holiday Stress at Home...It Can Affect your Work

2011-11-14T10:13:00.000-07:00

As we are approaching the holidays and I myself am starting to feel the stress of organizing the Thanksgiving meal and the traditional Black Friday shopping trip with all the girls in the family, I started to wonder if feeling so stressed out at home is showing at work. The answer is yes.

The holidays bring a lot of things. There is great food, awesome presents and wonderful company as you spend time with the people closest to you. But there is also the stress and sometimes negativity that often comes with the holidays.

There are also indicators that suggest the higher the stress level in the home, the less healthy and more "sick days" there are in the workplace. Not to mention that when we are stressed at home; we tend to have a shorter fuse and be less attentive when at the office.

Although work can sometimes act as an escape, the pressure to keep up with everything in your life, including your job performance can more feeling of being overwhelmed.

So before you find yourself in the middle of the holiday "swirl" and you feel as if you're being pulled in 20 different directions; try to find some ways to de-stress and relax.

Here are four simple and effective tips for doing just that.

1. Slow down.

Even if it may feel silly and if you have to force it a bit. Slow down your body, move and walk slowly. Breathe slower and more deeply with your belly (and focus on doing just that for two minutes and see what happens). Slow down your eating (this will not only help you to relax, it will also help you to not eat too much during the holidays since it takes about 20 minutes for your brain to register that you are full.)

Slow it all down and pay attention to what you are doing. Be here and now and focus on doing just one thing at a time. By slowing down, by being here now, by not having your focus split between many things, your body and your mind start to relax.

The stress you feel from doing the things does not come from the things, it comes from how you go about doing them.

2. Take it easy with those expectations.

Things take time. Especially around the holidays as stores, roads etc. are overflowing with people. It is just how it is and if you don’t accept that then it’s going to be some stressful and frustrated days ahead. Take this into consideration when you make practical plans. Realize that things may take longer than you originally planned for. And realize that even though that Christmas etc. is supposed to be a sort of perfect time of the year nothing will ever be perfect (not for long at least).

Striving for or expecting perfection can be pretty dangerous. Because you will never feel like what you do or what you get is good enough. Even though what you do, for example, is just fine 90 percent of the time you still feel let down inside like you are not OK. This robs you of enjoying your holidays.
You have set the bar at an inhuman level. If you expect perfection around the holidays – or around any time of the year – then your self esteem will stay low, your stress levels will shoot up and you will feel disappointed even though things may have indeed been very good overall.

3. Tap into gratitude.

Where you put your focus does to a large degree determine how you feel and think. Focus on the stress and how hard everything is, and you will feel and think about just that. Focus on the positive things in your life right now and you will feel a lot better and think happier thoughts. Your day becomes lighter and brighter.

One of the quickest ways to shift your focus is simply to appreciate the positive things in your life right now. To be grateful for what you have.

Two ways of doing that are:

The two minute exercise. If you’re feeling negative or stressed out use just two minutes in your day to reflect upon things that you are grateful for. It’s a small and quick thing to do but it can have a big effect on your mood – it’s hard to not feel like smiling after those two minutes – and how you view your life. Ask yourself: “what can I appreciate in my life right now? and “what can I be grateful for that I may have been taking for granted this year?”.

The gratitude journal. Basically the same exercise as above. But here you quickly jot down 5 things you are grateful for in a journal. Do this for a few minutes each day or each week. Review the journal whenever you feel the need. Very simple but effective.

4. Take a break.

Working nonstop can sour your mood and stress anyone out. Slow down but also remember to take breaks. Take 20 minutes or half an hour to just rest. Take a walk in the crisp and cold winter landscape. Escape via music, a book you have that you may have never finished or by watching classic holiday movies/TV. I usually watch Elf or A Christmas Story. Both are great for a holiday chuckle and watching them every year with the family has become a tradition.

Do something that snaps you out of the working, shopping and preparing mindset, even if it is just for while. That short change in scenery and change of mental head space may be all you need to feel revitalized again.

The whole point to the holidays is to share and enjoy our time with family and friends and to have a good time. Remember that the holidays are more than the perfect table settings at Thanksgiving or the perfect gift at Christmas. Stop and remember the true meaning of the holidays.

Enjoy your holidays......

In the absence of Attorney Chad Snow, blog posted today by: April Lang-Snow, Business Manager @ Snow and Carpio, PLC.

Bullying...Not just a problem with kids in school!

2011-11-07T09:37:00.000-07:00

Bullying is something we all hope not to have to deal with much beyond the eighth grade. Unfortunately workplace bullies are a problem many people face. Unlike playground bullies who often, not always, resort to using their fists, workplace bullies generally use words and actions to intimidate their victims.

A workplace bully may be your boss or your co-worker. No one should ever make you feel uncomfortable at work. If you are a victim of bullying in your workplace consider speaking to someone in the human resources department for help in dealing with it.

If you would like to try to deal with this situation before you report it, here are some tips. If you are being physically threatened don't waste a minute before you report it to both your employer and the police.

If you are dealing with a workplace bully:

•Seek the advice of a trusted mentor who may have dealt with this situation before.

•If you can, confront the bully in a professional manner, but only if your physical safety isn't threatened. Don't sink to his or her level. Stay as calm as possible. Don't yell or threaten. Often bullies are looking for this type of confrontation and it will encourage them to come back for more. Don't cry or show weakness either. That's usually what the bully is after in the first place.

•Don't try to win over other people to your side. The way in which you handle the situation will allow them to make their own judgements.

•Don't allow the bully to intimidate you or make you feel bad about yourself. You know your true worth. Don't forget what that is.

•Do your job and do it well. The workplace bully wants you to fail and when you don't he or she will be defeated.

•Make sure your superiors are aware of your work. Workplace bullies often try to spread the word that your are not doing your job well and will even go as far as to report the smallest infractions to your boss. Your actions will carry more weight than his or her words.
If all else fails, decide whether or not a job transfer is appropriate (if available) and if not, whether or not you are ready to seek other employment to alleviate the stress in your life.

If you are injured or know of somebody who has been injured; the attorneys at Snow and Carpio, PLC are glad to sit down and speak to you at no cost about your case. For more information regarding this topic or general questions regarding a Workers' Compensation Claim, you may reach Chad Snow and the firm of Snow and Carpio, PLC at 602-532-0700 or 520-647-9000.

In the absence of Attorney Chad Snow, blog posted today by: April Lang-Snow, Business Manager @ Snow and Carpio, PLC.

Most Common Safety Violations

2011-10-27T15:20:00.000-07:00

I was trolling around the Industrial Commission Site and I cam across the 20 most common citations for safety. It's pretty interesting if you look at some of them because it is very easy to be in compliance and yet so expensive to have an accident.

Most cases that we see here in our office could have been prevented. Whether it's lack of fall protection that prevented the roofer from falling off a roof or a simple Lock-Out/Tag-Out procedure that takes a few moments but can save somebody from being electrocuted or losing a finger.

Safety is so important. Both as an employer and an employee.

Here's the list for you to check out.
The 20 standards most frequently cited by ADOSH

Note: 1926 indicates a violation of a construction standard, 1910 a general industry standard.

Standard Description Citations

1910.1200 Hazard Communication 338

1910.305 Wiring methods, components 209

1910.157 Portable fire extinguishers 179

1910.134 Respiratory protection 138

1910.178 Powered industrial trucks 131

1910.303 Electrical, general requirements 131

1910.212 Machine guarding, general requirements 93

1910.215 Abrasive wheel machinery 86

1926.501 Duty to have fall protection 73

1910.179 Overhead and gantry cranes 72

1910.132 PPE, general requirements 63

1910.213 Woodworking machine guarding 62

1910.1030 Bloodborne pathogens 59

1904.01 Recordkeeping 52

1910.22 Housekeeping 49

1910.219 Power transmission guarding 47

1904.32 Annual summary, 300 log 46

1926.451 Scaffolding, general requirements 46

1910.23 Floor/wall opening guarding 44

1910.37 Exit route maintenance 39

Now, as a previous business owner and employer, I can tell you that there are a few items on this list that require little/no effort. For example; PPE (general requirements), that means Personal Protection Equipment and is referring to safety devices for your employees such as safety glasses to protect eyes, ear plugs to preserve hearing, gloves to protect hands from materials and/or equipment and also the red vests that should be worn if your employees are in an area where there is forklift activity so they will stand out and the forklift driver can easily identify and see them. These very inexpensive items all flow into the PPE area and there is no reason why an employee should not be providing these safety tools for their employees. The citation fine is probably 5x the amount they would have spent in the first place.

Another example would be the Annual Summary. There is no fee associated with this unless you employ a full time Safety Director, in which case this should be a simple task that he/she should be completing as part of their job. But on the norm, for small-mid size companies, the owners are probable handling this task and it doesn't cost you a penny to complete your OSHA 300 log. Yes, it takes a little bit of time but, if you are recording everything as it happens through the year, it's a very easy and simple task to complete.

Employers need to get out of the mindset that ADOSH and other safety entities are here to make their lives more difficult and instead understand they are around to ensure the safety of the employees. I remember having a sinking feeling every time they would walk through the door because I knew it would mean some sort of fine or write-up; but in retrospect, they weren't that difficult to deal with and most of the things we needed to bring up to par were very simple things that because we did not stay on task, it cost us in both time and money.

For employees; I know that the biggest complaint I used to get from my manufacturing employees was that it was too hot to wear the safety glasses in the summer and that the gloves made it hard to grip sometimes. But in the end, these Personal Protection Equipment and devices are put in place to ensure your safety.

I can tell you from my experience working here at the Snow and Carpio Law Firm over the last 2 years that most of our clients would love to go back to when their injury happened and rewind for just 2 second so they could have a do-over and not get injured. Whether it's a minor injury that does not result in loss of time at work or a major incident that leaves a person unable to return to their job and even their career; not one of them would give up the chance to go back and have that accident and injury go away.

So take a look around you and see if there are safety issues. whether you are an employer or an employee, point things out, make sure to talk about safety.

If you are injured or know of somebody who has been injured; the attorneys at Snow and Carpio, PLC are glad to sit down and speak to you at no cost about your case. For more information regarding this topic or general questions regarding a Workers' Compensation Claim, you may reach Chad Snow and the firm of Snow and Carpio, PLC at 602-532-0700 or 520-647-9000.

In the absence of Attorney Chad Snow, blog posted today by: April Lang-Snow, Business Manager @ Snow and Carpio, PLC.

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Most Dangerous Jobs

2011-10-25T09:52:00.000-07:00

From Risk Management Magazine:

According to the latest numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Deadliest Catch," a popular television show on the Discovery Channel that chronicles the adventures of Alaskan king crab fishermen in the Bering Sea, is aptly named. Last year, 29 fishermen died from injuries sustained on the job, giving the industry a rate of 116 deaths per 100,000 workers and making it far and away the most dangerous job in the United States.

Logging workers (91.9 fatalities per 100,000 workers), airplane pilots and flight engineers (70.6), farmers and ranchers (41.4), and mining machine operators (38.7) rounded out the top five occupations with the highest fatal work injury rates. To put these numbers in perspective, the fatal work injury rate for all American employees in 2010 was only 3.5 per 100,000 workers.

For sheer numbers, more truck drivers and delivery workers (683) died on the job than those in any other profession. This equated to a fatality rate of 21.8 due to the much larger workforce in this category. The mining industry was particularly hard hit in 2010, as multiple deaths from the Upper Big Branch mine and Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosions helped increase fatalities by 74% over 2009 and inflate the fatality rate from 12.4 to 19.9.

Overall, the Bureau's Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries determined that 4,547 workers were killed on the job in 2010, an amount virtually unchanged from 2009 when 4,551 fatalities occurred. This figure, however, was still low enough to make 2010 the safest year on record, representing a 25% decline in deaths since the census was first conducted in 1992.

TOP 10 MOST DANGEROUS JOBS IN 2010(with fatal work injury rate)

1. Fishermen -- 116.0

2. Logging workers -- 91.9

3. Airplane pilots and flight engineers -- 70.6

4. Farmers and ranchers -- 41.4

5. Mining machine operators -- 38.7

6. Roofers -- 32.4

7. Sanitation workers -- 29.8

8. Truck drivers and delivery workers -- 21.8

9. Industrial machine workers -- 20.3

10. Police officers -- 18.0

For more information regarding this topic or general questions regarding a Workers' Compensation Claim, you may reach Chad Snow and the firm of Snow and Carpio, PLC at 602-532-0700 or 520-647-9000.

In the absence of Attorney Chad Snow, blog posted today by: April Lang-Snow, Business Manager @ Snow and Carpio, PLC.

Workers' Compensation Tip of the Day:

2011-10-24T10:19:00.001-07:00

The injured worker must apply in writing to the ICA requesting permission to be out of the state of Arizona for any period exceeding fourteen days. The ICA issues an award either approving or disapproving the request. If approved, the claim continues to be processed in accordance with Arizona Workers’ Compensation Law.

If you fail to get approval prior to leaving the state, the insurance company may suspend your benefits

For more information regarding this topic or general questions regarding a Workers' Compensation Claim, you may reach Chad Snow and the firm of Snow and Carpio, PLC at 602-532-0700 or 520-647-9000.

In the absence of Attorney Chad Snow, blog posted today by: April Lang-Snow, Business Manager @ Snow and Carpio, PLC.

How to Describe Your Work Injury

2011-10-21T10:08:00.000-07:00

To help your medical providers to properly document the history of your work injury, you should provide them with a one sentence history they can write down, such as: “On February 2, 2010, I hurt my neck, left shoulder, and right knee when I fell down a flight of stairs at work.” Keep it as concise, consistent, accurate, and as simple as possible.

Being injured and in pain can be a stressful time in your life. Oftentimes during this confusing period after the accident, your pain complaints and treatment may be focused to one area of the body, but with other injured areas possibly mentioned and not treated. All injuries may not have been discussed or, at least, noted at the emergency room visit or subsequent doctor visits due to embarrassment, a stoic demeanor, a desire to protect the employer, or a focus on the primary injury.

If all injuries that you believe relate to your work injury were not listed on the initial medical notes, make an appointment with that doctor or another doctor to have him or her examine the other parts of your body. Also, you should tell your employer what you believe to be the initial injuries and what you believe to be part of the entire claim. Inability to have a paper trail documenting all of your injuries could impact what injuries are covered, both for wage loss and medical purposes, with catastrophic unforeseen results.

For more information regarding this topic or general questions regarding a Workers' Compensation Claim, you may reach Chad Snow and the firm of Snow and Carpio, PLC at 602-532-0700 or 520-647-9000.

In the absence of Attorney Chad Snow, blog posted today by: April Lang-Snow, Business Manager @ Snow and Carpio, PLC.

Workers' Compensation Tip of the Day:

2011-10-17T15:31:00.002-07:00

In cases where the person needs in home health care, the carrier can pay a family member to do it in place of a professional caregiver.

Often my seriously injured clients cannot take care of basic necessities such as:

• bathing

• dressing

• meal preparation

• driving

• cleaning

Many clients are surprised to learn that their husband, wife or significant other can ask for payment for "attendant care" of an injured worker at home.

For more information regarding this topic or general questions regarding a Workers' Compensation Claim, you may reach Chad Snow and the firm of Snow and Carpio, PLC at 602-532-0700 or 520-647-9000.

In the absence of Attorney Chad Snow, blog posted today by: April Lang-Snow, Business Manager @ Snow and Carpio, PLC.

Workers' Comp. Tip of the Day

2011-10-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

To anyone bringing in significant income from tips, commissions, or bonuses,

KEEP GOOD RECORDS

in the event that you are one day injured and have to pursue a workers' comp case!

You see, many times servers and bartenders and other workers who bring in significant income from tips end up experiencing improper wage calculations and mis-calculations of benefits owed when in pursuit of workers' comp cases. The same is true for workers who work off commissions or receive large bonuses.

This is another reason why it pays to have a workers' comp attorney helping you with your case – we see these situations often and can help you maximize your benefits. The insuracne carriers would love to pay your benefits at a lower rate but why not get what you are truly entitled to?

Chad T. Snow is a workers compensation attorney in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. He can be reached at his offices at (602) 532-0700, (520) 647-9000.

In the absence of Chad Snow, blog posted by: April Lang-Snow, Business Manager @ Snow and Carpio, PLC

Workers' Compensation Fraud

2011-10-12T09:02:00.000-07:00

I always find it interesting when I am reading monthly newsletters or periodicals in the Workers' Compensation industry of how rampant fraud is and the extent of what some people go through to commit the fraud.

One of the things we always go over with our new clients is surveillance. At any given time, the carrier can hire somebody to watch you and photograph your activities. We've spoken about it before on this blog. If you say you can barely walk due to your injuries, make sure your not working out at your local Zumba studio with all your girlfriends..... or ATV riding with your buddies!

Check out these cases below:

Dr. Imitation

Dr. Imitation claimed she cut her ankle and leg after tripping over a pallet. Additionally, she said she was being treated by a physician and was paying the costs herself. Dr. Imitation provided WCF with medical bills and other documentation, and asked to be reimbursed for almost $6,000 in medical services and $8,500 in lost time benefits.WCF discovered Dr. Imitation submitted 15 false, forged documents and bills from a fictitious doctor. The plan was even enhanced by setting up a post office box solely for this correspondence exchange. Dr. Imitation pleaded guilty to workers compensation fraud. WCF saved more than $23,000 in medical and lost time benefits.

The Pilot

As a hang glider test pilot, The Pilot enjoyed a challenge. While demonstrating a product to a group, the aircraft malfunctioned and plummeted. Luckily, he had a parachute and was able to make it safely to the ground, except for a dislocated shoulder. For the next two years, The Pilot claimed his arm was too severely injured to return to work. Physicians tried every available treatment with no success. In the meantime, The Pilot decided to move to sunny, southern California. After a tip from a former employer, surveillance video showed him parasailing off cliffs at Torrey Pines Glider Port in La Jolla, California. WCF asked The Pilot to return to Utah for an independent medical exam. At the exam, he told the physician he could not open his car door because of his shoulder pain. After seeing the surveillance, the doctor released The Pilot to go back to work. Subsequently, The Pilot pleaded guilty to workers’ compensation fraud. WCF saved almost $120,000 in medical and lost time benefits.

The Hunter

As an ironworker, The Hunter injured his knee when he slipped at work. The injury seemed to get worse over time and he told the doctor he could not walk five feet. Surveillance caught The Hunter mowing lawns, trimming hedges and doing other yard work without any hint of pain. After the yard work, he complained again to the doctor about pain. Within a week, the Hunter loaded an ATV into a trailer and drove to a local canyon. While there, he unloaded the ATV, drove it around on unimproved dirt roads, and hunted for 12 hours. The Hunter was convicted of workers compensation fraud. WCF saved almost $15,000 in medical and lost time benefits, and restitution.

Mr. Basketball

Mr. Basketball was a nursing home health professional who claimed to injure his back while lifting a patient. After significant rehabilitation time, he said the injury was only getting worse. The pain was so intense he couldn’t even walk to the mailbox. However, surveillance video showed Mr. Basketball could not only walk to the mailbox, he could play basketball like Larry Bird. He was running, dribbling, shooting and scoring to help his team win. Mr. Basketball was convicted of workers compensation fraud. WCF saved more than $48,000 in medical and lost time benefits, and restitution.

The Cowboy

After injuring his back working as a plumber, The Cowboy claimed he could not tie his shoes or clean his house, let alone work. With such an aggravating injury, a doctor performed back surgery and The Cowboy stayed off work. But, this did not affect his participation in a nine-day Pony Express re-enactment. After grooming and saddling his horse, The Cowboy rode up to five hours a day on a trip from Missouri to Utah. His picture was even in a local paper at the end of the marathon ride. Later, surveillance video showed The Cowboy participating in a rodeo. After the rodeo, The Cowboy said he still could not work due to the surgery. He told the claims adjuster, “Say I go ride a horse for even a half hour, get off and put it away, I’ll spend the rest of the day in pain, severe pain.” During this same discussion, he was asked about the Pony Express ride. The Cowboy’s response –“Is it against the law to take a vacation?” The Cowboy was convicted of workers compensation fraud. WCF saved more than $75,000 in medical and lost time benefits

The stories above were found on the Workers' Comp Fund Website out of Utah and while they are humorous to read, the cost to investigate, pursue and prosecute fraud can run a carrier millions of dollars.

The attorney's at Snow and Carpio, PLC are dedicated to helping those who have legitimate claims. Any client found to have misrepresented himself or the events or extent of their injury are immediately discharged as clients.

Chad T. Snow is a workers compensation attorney in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. He can be reached at his offices at (602) 532-0700, (520) 647-9000.

In the absence of Chad Snow, blog posted by: April Lang-Snow, Business Manager @ Snow and Carpio, PLC

2010 CENSUS OF FATAL OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES

2011-10-11T11:41:00.001-07:00

The Industrial Commission of Arizona released it's 2010 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. While no report is "great" until we can read about zero fatalities for the year, it was especially nice to read that workplace fatalities were down in 2010 over 2009.

Also identified in the data were Arizona’s three leading causes of work-related fatalities in 2010.

They were:

• Transportation fatalities, which include highway, pedestrian, rail and aircraft accidents;
• Assaults and violent acts;
• Falls

There were approximately 3.13 deaths in Arizona for every 100,000 workers in the state’s workforce in 2010.

For the employers out there; Workplace fatalities can be avoided. There are many resources to assist you with workplace safety and employee training. There are companies you can hire to come in, evaluate and implement a safety program if you don't have the time. And/or there are informative safety libraries that can be purchased for monthly safety meeting with your employees. Keeping your employees trained and your workplace free of safety hazards will save you money in the long run and the potential loss of employees due to injury or death.

For employees; Survey your surroundings and don't rely on somebody else to provide your safety zone. Look around, make sure you are aware of both present and potential dangers and if you find some, REPORT THEM TO YOUR SUPERVISOR IMMEDIATLY. Your work has an obligation to correct the issue before anybody gets hurt. Keep your eyes and ears open at all times and most accidents can be prevented.

If you have been injured, consult an attorney who specializes in Workers' Compensation Law (I can recommend a great firm!) so that you can make sure you are receiving all benefits you are entitled to.

Chad T. Snow is a workers compensation attorney in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. He can be reached at his offices at (602) 532-0700, (520) 647-9000.

In the absence of Chad Snow, blog posted by: April Lang-Snow, Business Manager @ Snow and Carpio, PLC

With sympathy...

2011-10-06T09:31:00.000-07:00

Joseph Chandler McDaniel Obituary: View Joseph McDaniel's Obituary by The Arizona Republic

Save the Date

2011-10-03T14:05:00.000-07:00

Annual Holiday Celebration

December 8, 2011

4:30-7:30pm

Food, Mariachi's, Cocktails and Fun!

Invitations to arrive in a mailbox near you

no later than November 01, 2011

CAN YOU FILE FOR WORKMANS COMP AND SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS AT THE SAME TIME?

2011-09-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

Yes, you can file a claim for Workman's comp and social security disability benefits simultaneously. The two benefit systems are completely separate and distinct (ssd is a standardized federal program while workers compensation laws may differ state to state).

However, an individual seeking both types of benefits may gain advantage from the input of a workers compensation attorney since "timing issues" (as regards an ssd claim) can, in some cases, affect a workman's comp claim.

Snow and Carpio can handle both your Workers' Compensation and Social Security Disability claims. For a FREE consultation, pleae contact our offices at either 602-532-0700 Phoenix or 520-647-9000 Tucson.

In the absence of Chad Snow, blog posted by: April Lang, Business Manager @ Snow and Carpio, PLC

Welcome to our new employee....

2011-09-20T22:27:00.000-07:00

Snow and Carpio is pleased to announce

a new addition to our staff.

"Julia" will be starting on Wednesday September 21, 2011

as our new Front Office Receptionist.

We look forward to posting an employee profile soon so you can put a face to a name!

Workers' Compensation Seminar - Prescott, AZ

2011-09-14T10:31:00.000-07:00

Attorney Snow will not be posting any blogs for the remainder of week.

He is currently attending the State Bar of Arizona Workers' Compensation Seminar in Prescott, AZ.

Thank you for you patience and we look forward to his return and future blogs.

God Bless America

2011-09-09T09:47:00.000-07:00

Snow and Carpio remembers those lost 10 years ago on Sunday and prays for unity, tolerance and love during this time of retrospect. In memory of those who perished; we remember you, and we will never forget.

And for those who serve, have served or have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country and it's protection, we thank you.

God Bless America

Affidaviting Judges at ICA

2011-08-30T21:17:00.001-07:00

A new workers comp attorney recently asked about the rule that allows a peremptory strike of a judge assigned to an Arizona work comp claim. Rule. Allows you to "Strike" a judge and ask for a new one upon a showing of "bias and prejudice". No actual evidence of bias is required. Earlier in my career I used to regularly affidavit judges who I thought had rendered bad decisions - I guess I thought it would punish them!!!
I've learned with time that all of the judges at the ICA are generally very fair and striking them doesn't really accomplish anything. Occasionally I'll remember that a certain judge doesn't like a certain doctor or I'll have a client who I think will rub a certain judge the wrong way and I may in very limited circumstances affidavit them.

Hernia Injury On the Job In Arizona

2011-08-27T14:43:00.001-07:00

Very few Arizona workers compensation attorneys will take hernia cases. The reasons are that they are one of the only types of traumatic injuries with special rules in the statutes limiting how much compensation can be recovered by the injured worker.

There are two types of hernias classified in the Arizona Workers Compensation Act: (1) real traumatic hernias; and (2) all other hernias. Real traumatic hernias are defined as "an injury to the abdominal wall of sufficient severity to puncture or tear the wall such that the abdominal viscera protrudes. Obviously, all other hernias, are those that don't fall into the first category. Generally speaking, to prove a traumatic hernia, the injured worker needs to prove that the hernia was sustained in the course and scope of employment, that the descent of the hernia occurred immediately following the cause, and was followed by severe pain and immediately reported to another person.

In cases of nontraumatic hernias, compensation is limited to two months. If a worker can prove that a real traumatic hernia has resulted, then temporary and permanent compensation can be paid if the worker can prove that a loss of earning capacity has resulted from the hernia.

More specific information can be found at A.R.S. § 23-1043.

Snow and Carpio also has a packet of information for hernia cases. If you would like a free packet, please call our office at (602) 532-0700 or in Tucson at (520) 647-9000. http://www.snowcarpio.com/

2011-08-25T09:45:00.000-07:00

Recall Pearce

Reception and Fundraiser

Thursday 08/25/11 @ 5:30pm

Appetizers and Refreshments will be served

Snow and Carpio, PLC Offices

55 E. Thomas Road, Suite #100

Phoenix, AZ 85012

Sunnyside Charity Golf Tournament 08/20/11

2011-08-24T08:33:00.000-07:00

Chad Snow on Horizonte on Aug. 19, 2011

2011-08-19T09:08:00.000-07:00

Man Impersonates OSHA Inspector and Demands Money from Businesses

2011-08-16T21:58:00.001-07:00

I found an interesting article recently on the ICA website. Apparently, a man has been visiting local businesses posing as an OSHA inspector and claiming to find violations. The man displays some official looking documents and claims to be a compliance inspector. Claiming to find a violation, he demands payment and offers a discount if payment is made immediately in cash.

The Arizona Department of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) states that a compliance officer will always be able to show credentials (like a police officer) and would never issue a citation in the field or ask for money (DUH!!!) Not the best scam I've heard of this week, but creative nonetheless.

Chad T. Snow is a workers compensation attorney in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona with the firm of Snow & Carpio, PLC. He can be reached at (602) 532-0700, (520) 647-9000, or through the firm's website at http://www.snowcarpio.com/

More Kudos to Alex Carpio

2011-08-14T00:08:00.001-07:00

Chad Snow and Alex Carpio

Fresh on the heels of his being selected as one of the Hispanic Forty Under Forty Leaders in our community, congratulations to my partner, Alex Carpio, for his victory as General Counsel in one of the most covered court cases in Arizona this year, Ross v. Bennett. The Ross case was Senate President Russell Pearce's feeble attempt to keep the November 8th Recall election ordered by Governor Brewer from going through. As soon as the suit was filed, Alex stepped forward to serve as counsel for the Citizens for a Better Arizona committee. He was later joined by seasoned trial attorney Tom Ryan, who argued the case in oral arguments before Superior Court judge Hugh Hegyi. Carpio and Ryan had previously filed a Motion to Dismiss the case in its entirety - which motion was granted by Judge Hegyi, who didn't even need to take evidence in the case. Attorneys for Pearce have already indicated that they will appeal the ruling to the Arizona Supreme Court, which is expected to rule well before the September 23rd deadline for the County Elections department to print the ballots. Carpio and Ryan are confident that the Supreme Court will reach a similar conclusion in the case, and that the historic election will go forward as scheduled.

When he's not arguing Supreme Court cases or being an up and coming leader in the Hispanic community, Alex is fast becoming one of Arizona's most well respected Workers Compensation applicant's attorneys. I'm proud to have him as my law partner and friend.

Chad T. Snow and X. Alex Carpio are the principal partners in the Arizona Workers Compensation firm of Snow & Carpio, PLC. The only Arizona workers comp firm with offices in Phoenix and Tucson, Chad and Alex can be reached at (602) 532-0700 or (520) 647-9000 or on their website at http://www.snowcarpio.com/

Industrial Commission Ombudsman for Injured Workers in Arizona

2011-08-11T23:42:00.001-07:00

Many injured workers are not aware that the Industrial Commission of Arizona has an Ombudsman to answer general questions about work injuries in Arizona. The Ombudsman can direct injured workers to forms, services, and procedures at the Industrial Commission, but cannot give legal advice. The Ombudsman helps over 6,000 injured workers a year and can be reached at (602) 542-4538 or (800) 544-6488.

While the Ombudsman can be very helpful with general information, they cannot give any legal advice or inform injured workers about their options with regard to medical treatment or settlement of their claims. If you have questions about your work injury, you should contact an attorney who practices Workers Compensation. At Snow & Carpio, we offer a free consultation, and are always glad to meet with injured workers even if they don't need our services to apprise them of their rights. We can be reached at http://www.snowcarpio.com/ or (602) 532-0700 or (520) 647-9000 in Northern Arizona.

Congratulations to our Firm Partner X. Alex Carpio.....

2011-08-11T15:01:00.001-07:00

...for being nominated and selected for recognition as one of Arizona's finest Latino Leaders

at the

2011 40 Hispanic Leaders Under 40 Awards

presented by

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona.

Alex will receive his recognition at a luncheon at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa on September 21st.

Congratulations Alex!!

Industrial Commission of Arizona Claims Seminar

2011-08-09T22:23:00.001-07:00

This Thursday and Friday, August 11th and 12th, the Industrial Commission of Arizona will hold their annual claims seminar. The seminar will be held at the Wigwam Resort and Spa in West Phoenix. The Thursday schedule is filled with presentations by Industrial Commission employees on issues including claims processing, notifications, average monthly wage, and the administrative hearing process. The second day is dedicated to discussing new legislative and judicial developments in the area of Arizona workers compensation law.

The claims seminar is informative for people just entering the workers compensation field and has good information for legal support staff, medical office staff, claims representatives, and anyone who works with or around injured workers. More information can be found on the Industrial Commission's web page at http://www.ica.state.az.us/Claims/Seminar/Claims_2011Seminar_InfoLtr.pdf

Chad T. Snow is a worker comp attorney in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. He can be reached through his firm web site at http://www.snowcarpio.com/ or by e-mail at chad@snowcarpio.com

To Settle or Not to Settle in AZ Work Comp Claim

2011-08-05T22:18:00.001-07:00

One of the most important things we do as Arizona workers compensation attorneys is helping clients decide whether and when to settle their case. Arizona work injury claims can be settled by a process called a Compromise and Settlement Agreement. Usually, there is a requirement that a bona fide dispute exists between the parties to settle a case.

Sometimes cases are settled at the compensability level, before the claim has been accepted by the insurance carrier. If there is a decent chance that you will lose your claim, this may be a good option - as the saying goes, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Other issues that settle include an injured workers' entitlement to permanent benefits. This is essentially negotiating a lump sum payment from the insurance carrier in lieu of permanent monthly payments. I call this the quick nickel over the slow dime. Many times the insurance carrier wants to settle the injured workers' entitlement to supportive medical care at the same time.

Some issues in a work comp claim can be handled without an attorney. Settling a case is DEFINITELY NOT one of them. You should consult with an Arizona Workers Compensation Attorney prior to talking to the insurance company about settlement. Many factors go into determining how much your case is worth and what rights you are bargaining away.

Chad T. Snow is an attorney in Tucson and Phoenix Arizona who handles workers compensation and Social Security disability cases. He can be reached through his website at http://www.snowcarpio.com/ or by calling (602) 532-0700 OR (520) 647-9000.

Welcome....

2011-08-04T09:00:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the newest member of the Snow and Carpio family!

Bernadette Guzman joins the firm as the Litigation Paralegal for Chad Snow.

Snow and Carpio is a Proud Sponsor.....

2011-08-04T08:55:00.000-07:00

...of this year's Golf Tournament on August 20th at Starr Pass resort in Tucson.

Check out the link to the Sunnyside Foundation for more information for participating or contributing.

Can Wages from Self-Employment be Included in Work Comp Payments?

2011-08-01T07:57:00.001-07:00

I recently had a potential client where the injured worker worked for very short, intense periods with the Employer, during one of such periods he injured his right shoulder. During the times he wasn't working for the Employer, he would work for himself. The carrier set the wage based only on the wages earned during the prior year with the Employer. The injured worker wanted to include his wages earned during periods of self employment.

Unfortunately, the law in Arizona is well settled that only concurrent wages from "covered" employment can be included in the calculation of the average monthly wage. This means that the other employment must be covered under the workers compensation Act to be eligible for inclusion in the average monthly wage. Since the injured worker didn't carry workers compensation insurance on himself in the self employed job, it would not be considered covered, and was not able to be included in the calculation of his average monthly wage for purposes of workers compensation benefits. It is unfortunate for him because his industrial injury precludes him from doing even his self employed work now and he will not be compensated for the wages lost from that work as a result of his industrial injury.

The rationale behind this policy is to encourage all workers to carry, or work for employers who carry, workers compensation insurance.

Chad T. Snow is an attorney practicing workers compensation law in Tucson and Phoenix Arizona. He can be reached at http://www.snowcarpio.com/, (602) 532-0700, or (520) 647-9000.

How Long Does Insurance Co. Have to Send Me My Check In AZ Work Comp Claim

2011-07-27T16:28:00.001-07:00

As I've discussed in other posts, there are several types of compensation in an Arizona Work Injury claim. The most common is temporary total or temporary partial compensation, which is comp that is paid while the injured worker is receiving active medical care and is either on a no work status or light duty status respectively.

The general rule for how long an insurance company has to send the injured worker his or her check is 3 days after the due date of the check if the carrier is in the state of Arizona, and 5 days if they are outside the state. For example, if you are on an off work status and the last day of the 14 day pay period is July 27th, an in state carrier should have your check to you by July 30th and an out of state carrier by August 1st. If a carrier is persistently late in getting your check to you on time, you can file a complaint of bad faith and/or unfair claims processing with the Industrial Commission.

For more information about late compensation payments and bad faith complaints, contact our office.

Chad Snow on Internet Radio Talk Show with Andre Controversa

2011-07-25T09:14:00.000-07:00

In case you missed Chad Snow last Thursday, here is the link to listen to the show.

Listen to internet radio with Andre Controversa on Blog Talk Radio

Should Russell Pearce be recalled 07/21 by Andre Controversa | Blog Talk Radio

2011-07-21T13:39:00.000-07:00

Chad Snow to be on the following talk show tonight speaking about the Pearce Recall.

Should Russell Pearce be recalled 07/21 by Andre Controversa Blog Talk Radio

Sunday Squareoff with Chad Snow

2011-07-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

Gabby Giffords and Federal Workers Compensation Claims

2011-07-13T11:38:00.001-07:00

I found an interesting article recently which indicated that since her injuries were sustained in the course of her employment, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' injuries were being covered not by her Congressional Health Insurance, but through the Federal Employee's workers compensation system.

Federal employees are some of the only workers in Arizona whose injuries are not covered by the Arizona Workers Compensation Act. The federal government has set up a separate system of insurance for its employees, known as the Federal Employees Compensation Act. The article suggests that the federal work comp system is somewhat more liberal than most state systems, although they have many similar features. Both the federal and most state systems operate under the same priniciple - that all on the job injuries will be compensated while the worker relinquishes the right to sue the employer.

I am not currently aware of any attorneys in Arizona who handle federal workers compensation claims. We refer all inquiries to Max Gest in California at (310) 553-2700.

Chad T. Snow is a workers compensation attorney with offices in Tucson and Phoenix Arizona. He can be reached at (602) 532-0700, (520) 647-9000, or through the website at http://www.snowcarpio.com/

New Ad Campaign - Is It Too Much?

2011-07-13T08:26:00.000-07:00

I was looking this morning for something to write about on the blog since Attorney Snow has been busy with hearings and I came across this new work safety campaign out of California. It took me by surprise and made me ask, is it too much?

I know they are trying to make a point with how easy injuries can be avoided, and yes; they are trying to avoid serious injuries and even death... but is it too graphic?

Take a look and tell us what you think.

In the absence of Chad Snow, blog posted by:
April Lang-Snow, Business Manager @ Snow and Carpio, PLC

Can Workman's Comp Carrier Tell Me Where to Get My MRI?

2011-07-08T22:39:00.001-07:00

An issue I've run into quite a bit recently is that of carrier's trying to direct injured workers to facilities of their choice for diagnostic tests such as MRI's and doctors of their choice for EMG studies. As I've posted on here several times, one of the most important and fundamental rights of an injured worker in Arizona is the right to choose his or her own treating doctor. While the Workers Compensation Act allows the carrier to have the injured worker examined "periodically" by a physician of their choosing, I don't think that extends to choosing where diagnostic procedures are done and by whom. Especially in the case of a semi-invasive procedure such as an EMG study.

I recently filed a Motion for a Protective Order in one of these cases and the Administrative Law Judge at the Industrial Commission agreed. Her order relieved the applicant of any duty to attend the studies that had been scheduled by the carrier and instead indicated that the treating doctor has the right to decide where and by whom diagnostic studies are done.

Chad T. Snow is a workers compensation attorney in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. For more information on workers compensation claims in Arizona, you can reach Chad through his website at http://www.snowcarpio.com/, or by calling the offices at (602) 532-0700 or (520) 647-9000.

Rules for Employers Regarding Workers Compensation Coverage

2011-07-05T22:19:00.001-07:00

Although our firm represents only injured workers, I'll give a little time to providing information for EMPLOYERS regarding their obligations with regard to work injuries and work comp coverage.

Under the Arizona Workers Compensation Act, it is mandatory for employers to carry work injury coverage for their employees. Workers compensation coverage can be purchased from any insurance carrier licensed by the State Department of Insurance to sell work comp policies in the state. A list of eligible carriers can be found by contacting the Dept of Insurance at (800) 325-2548 or on their website.

Some larger employers who meet certain stringent criteria set by the Industrial Commission can self insure themselves for all work injuries. Employers are required to carry this coverage regardless of the number of employees they have, and even if their employees are minors, family members, aliens, or part time.

Employers are also required to display in a conspicuous place in the workplace those bland signs that inform employees that the employer carries workers compensation coverage and of the employee's right to reject coverage if they so choose. Frankly, I've worked in dozens of places and have now practiced workers compensation law for 12 years, and I've never read that sign in my office break room. An employer cannot force its employees to opt out of the workers compensation system, nor can it have its employees pay even a part of the workers compensation premiums.

If an Employer is notified of an injury to one of its workers, it is required by law to provide the worker with certain information about the employer's insurance carrier, policy #, etc. It is also required to notify the Industrial Commission within 10 days (although in practice that rarely happens). If a fatal injury occurs, the Employer must notify the Industrial Commission as soon as possible "by telephone or telegraph". I wonder if the ICA maintains an up to date telegraph in the event of such a reporting........

For more detailed information on Employer's Rights and Responsibilities in work comp claims, go to the ICA website page dedicated to such questions at http://www.ica.state.az.us/Claims/Forms/Claims_FAQs_WorkersCompensation.pdf

Chad T. Snow is a workers compensation attorney in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. He can be reached at his offices at (602) 532-0700, (520) 647-9000, his website at http://www.snowcarpio.com/, or by telegraph at - just kidding, he doesn't have a telegraph.

Work Injuries Decline With the Economy

2011-06-30T15:55:00.001-07:00

I'm a positive guy. I try to see the glass as half full (or just twice as big as it needs to be...). I try to find the silver lining. So I thought I'd pass along the good news about the last three years of the Great Recession - Work Injuries Are Way Down!!! Yes, apparently, the more people who are sitting at home watching Judge Judy and Wendy Williams, the fewer people are falling off scaffolds and cutting off fingers.

I found these interesting statistics on the Industrial Commission of Arizona's website which publishes statistics on the total number of work injury claims in every year.

2005 - 139,121
2006 - 131,904
2007 - 121,699
2008 - 122,101
2009 - 102,870

No stats out on 2010 yet, but I'm sure it will be even lower than 2009, when injuries were down 27% from just 5 years previous. Of course, some of this follows the overall historical downward trend of on the job injuries due to increased technology and emphasis on jobsite safety.

So if you're sitting at home bummed out because the Arizona legislature just cut your unemployment benefits extension, look on the bright side - at least you still have all your fingers!

Chad T. Snow is a workmans comp attorney with offices in Phoenix and Tucson Arizona. He once knew a man with 12 fingers who he called Inigo Montoya, but that's another story. Workers Compensation questions can be directed to the firm's website at http://www.snowcarpio.com/

Lightning Safety

2011-06-30T09:37:00.001-07:00

I heard this morning on the news that starting Sunday, we are in for 5 days of monsoon storms and activity.

It started me thinking; how many of us Zany Zonies don't pay attention to the dangers of the monsoon and the accompanying lightning because we have lived here for years and don't give the lightning a second thought other than the thrill of watching a good lightning storm from our porches at night. We still go on with our regular activities during these storms, especially if they roll in during the late afternoons while we are still at work or making our way through errands on our way home.

So I pulled up some information on lightning safety and it was pretty eye-opening. It was actually pretty scary. Hundreds of people are permanently injured each year, suffering from a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms like memory loss, attention deficits, sleep disorders, chronic pain, numbness, dizziness, stiffness in joints, irritability, fatigue, weakness, muscle spasms and depression.

Here are a couple pictures of some very lucky people who survived a lightning strike.

Employers also have a responsibility to keep their employees safe. In the event of a storm, employees need to be provided shelter and follow these safety rules as well. If you are an employer, posting a "Lightning Safety" bulletin in your employee breakroom or wherever your standard OSHA and Labor postings are hung is a great idea during the stormy summer months.

Here's what you need to know to stay safe during an electrical storm:

- Seek shelter and keep away from windows.

- Remember the 30-30 Rule: If you can see lightning and can not count to 30 before hearing thunder, go inside and stay there for at least 30 minutes after hearing the last roar of thunder.

- Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity.

- Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths, and faucets. Water serves as a good conductor for electricity.

- Turn off your air conditioner. Power surges from lightning can cause serious damage to your home.

- No place outside is safe during a thunderstorm. But, if you are stuck outside, find a low spot away from trees, fences and poles. Crouch low to the ground, but do not lay flat on it.

Even if lightning doesn't hit you directly, it might still have a strong enough charge to injure you.

So remember, when thunder roars, go indoors.

In the absence of Chad Snow, blog posted by:
April Lang-Snow, Business Manager @ Snow and Carpio, PLC

Excessive Heat Warning in Effect

2011-06-27T09:52:00.002-07:00

As we face some extreme tempoeratures this week, a reminder to all to stay hydrated, cool and safe. In the event of a heat illness, never delay in contacting 911. Heat Stroke can be fatal.

Most people don't realize that children are extremely vulnerable. The body temperature of children rises 3 – 5 times faster than adults, and as a result, children are much more vulnerable to heat stroke.

The elderly are also extremely vulnerable. Hospital records reveal that the majority of heat stroke patients are the elderly and poor who live in inner cities. Two-thirds of the cases are associated with hypertension, diabetes, and alcoholism. More than half of the victims were taking medications that affected their ability to handle the heat.

Another area of concern in the extreme heat is for our pets. Animals should be kept indoors as much as possible during periods of excessive heat.

If an animal is kept outside, they MUST have access to plenty of clean, cool water and shade.Some tips for keeping your dog cool outside: provide access to a kiddie pool filled with cool, clean water, wet your dog down with cool (not cold) water every hour and provide ice cubes in your dog's water bowl.

Signs of heat-induced illness include excessive panting, disorientation, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea. If you see any of these signs, get your pet to the vet immediately!

In the absence of Chad Snow, blog posted by:

April Lang-Snow, Business Manager @ Snow and Carpio, PLC

And You Thought YOU Got Screwed in Your Comp Claim?

2011-06-23T23:35:00.001-07:00

Jason Schecterle - Before and After Accident

I recently came across an article in my favorite newspaper, the New Times, that made me chuckle as an Arizona Workers Compensation attorney. It had to do with the work injury claim of one of Arizona's most beloved heroes, Jason Schecterle. For those who have lived here a while, you'll remember Schecterle as the Phoenix Police officer who sustained FOURTH degree burns over most of his body when his Crown Vic police cruiser was rear ended in 2001. He was burned beyond recognition and has undergone over 50 surgeries to recover from his horrific injuries.

However, a recent Findings and Award issued by the Industrial Commission of Arizona stated that "information in your file indicates that your injury is not affecting your earning ability at this time" and that "no permanent work restrictions (are) noted." Then comes the bureaucratic kick in the crotch: "there are no medical contraindications which would preclude you from returning to the same or similar work, thereby sustaining no loss of earning capacity." Those of us who receive these Awards regularly can only chuckle!

Remarkably, Schecterle had returned in 2005 as a limited duty detective for the department's homicide unit where he worked on dozens of murder cases in spite of his monumental physical limitations. However, after 18 months, he had to retire because of his diminished eyesight and the toll that working was taking on his body.

To her credit, ICA Director Laura McGrory, who is a fantastic Director as well as person, is personally working to correct the mistake, calling it a good "teaching moment" for her staff.

Chad T. Snow is a workers compensation attorney in Phoenix and Tucson Arizona. He can be reached anytime for questions about Arizona work injuries at (602) 532-0700 or (520) 647-9000.

Snow & Carpio Paralegal Not Appointed to Supreme Court

2011-06-23T15:06:00.001-07:00

Martha Diaz

Judge Sotomayor

The workers compensation attorneys at Snow & Carpio want to clear up any misconceptions by stating unequivocally that our longtime paralegal Martha Diaz has NOT been appointed to the Supreme Court by President Obama. There have been several charges of conflict of interest and favoritism since the appointment, but we assure you that any resemblance between Martha Diaz and that other lady are purely coincidental. While they are both "wise Latinas" in their 50's with connections to Brooklyn who work in the legal field, the similarities stop there.

Plus, why would Martha give up her sweet gig at Arizona's number one workers compensation law firm to join the Supreme Court?

Chad T. Snow is a work injury attorney in Arizona. His practice is limited to representing those injured on the job and he is certain that his cases will never wind up in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. He can be reached at (602) 532-0700 or (520) 647-9000 or http://www.snowcarpio.com/

Recent Decision On Election of Remedies at Court of Appeals

2011-06-22T22:50:00.001-07:00

A recent Court of Appeals decision on a workers compensation claim brings to mind an issue that I've never discussed here on the blog - the Election of Remedies Doctrine. In this case, the worker was injured working for an employer who did not carry workers compensation insurance. In such cases, the worker can elect his or her remedy between pursuing a tort (personal injury) claim against the Employer versus pursuing a Workers Compensation claim through the Industrial Commission's Special Fund No Insurance Section. (In cases where the Employer IS insured, the only remedy is a work comp claim).

In this case, the injured worker first filed a personal injury claim against the employer in Superior Court, but later decided to file the workers comp claim at the ICA. The Special Fund No Insurance Section (NIS) accepted the claim and began paying benefits. They later found out about the P.I. claim and tried to claim that the injured worker had elected his remedy. However, the Court found that since their acceptance of the claim had gone final, their election of remedies defense was untimely and thus was waived.

The important part to remember is that workers who are injured working for employers who fail to carry workers compensation insurance, the Employer's typical immunity against tort suits is waived and the employee can file a personal injury suit against the employer if their negligence caused the injury. Many times, these cases are worth more because of additional damages such as pain and suffering that can be paid.

Chad T. Snow is a workers compensation attorney with offices in Phoenix and Tucson. He can be reached through his website at http://www.snowcarpio.com/ and is always available to answer questions on work comp cases.

Industrial Commission of Arizona Claims System Down

2011-06-21T22:19:00.002-07:00

The Industrial Commission of Arizona, the state agency charged with administering disputes in workers compensation claims and various claims procedures, has announced that their computer system will be temporarily unavailable on June 23rd and 24th for a computer system update. The claims system and optical disk system should be back up and running on Monday June 27th.

The Claims Division handles processing of on the job injury claims, notifies employer's insurance carriers, sets average monthly wage in claims, processes requests of injured workers to change doctors or leave the state, and determines the amount of permanent compensation an injured worker receives.

Chad T. Snow is a workers compensation attorney in Arizona with offices in Phoenix and Tucson. He can be reached through his website at http://www.snowcarpio.com/.

New Average Monthly Wage for 2010 Arizona Work Injuries

2011-06-21T22:14:00.002-07:00

The Industrial Commission of Arizona has come out with the new statutory maximum average monthly wage for all injuries occurring in 2012. The new maximum wage will be $4,062.29. This is the highest monthly earnings that can be considered in calculating any kind of compensation in an Arizona Workers comp case. Temporary compensation is paid at 66 2/3 percent of the average monthly wage and permanent partial at 55% of the difference between the AMW and whatever the injured worker is able to earn thereafter.

As recently as 2007, the max wage was only $2,400.00, meaning that the most an injured worker could receive in compensation per month was $1,600.00. This severely penalized higher wage workers who were injured on the job. The Arizona Association of Lawyers of Injured Workers, of whom Alex Carpio and I are members, fought hard at the legislature to get raises in the maximum wage, to $3,000 in 2008, $3,600 in 2009, and indexed for inflation every year thereafter. This allows higher wage workers to receive more fair compensation for time lost from work for injuries sustained on the job in Arizona.

Chad T. Snow is a workers compensation attorney who represents injured workers before the Industrial Commission and Social Security Administration. He can be reached at http://www.snowcarpio.com/, or through his Phoenix office at (602) 532-0700 or in Tucson at (520) 647-9000.

Positional Risk in Arizona Workers Compensation Claims

2011-06-21T21:43:00.001-07:00

This is a very complex part of the workers compensation law in Arizona. It stands for the proposition that a worker's job may place him or her at increased risk of injury just because of the inherently dangerous nature of the job. It's really too complicated to explain in a simple blog post, but let me give two examples:

1. A recent case we had where a worker was on top of a pile of trash on the back of a truck and fell to the ground, sustaining a severe injury. The employer tried to argue that he was diabetic and had probably fainted due to his diabetes which caused him to fall. We argued that, even if that were the cause of the fall, the fact that his work placed him in a dangerous position was the real cause of the injuries, not necessarily the fall. If he were at home sitting on the couch, he wouldn't have been injured.

2. A case I handled a few years ago where a truck driver had a heart attack and ran his truck into a mountain and died. Again, the heart attack itself had nothing to do with his work, but the fact that he's driving 80,000 pounds of cargo 70 miles an hour places him at a greater "positional risk", making the effects of the injury compensable. Again, if he were sitting on his couch at home when the heart attack occurred, he would probably still be with us today.

Just a little interesting part of Arizona Workers Compensation Law.

2011-06-21T09:20:00.001-07:00

It's going to be 113 by tomorrow!

Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke can come on very suddenly. Watch this video to see how to handle a Heat Stroke victim until ermergency personnel arrive.

In the absence of Chad Snow, blog posted by:

April Lang-Snow, Business Manager @ Snow and Carpio, PLC

General Worker's Comp Information

2011-06-16T09:09:00.000-07:00

Arizona Workers Compensation Information

The attorneys at Snow and Carpio, PLC are an experienced advocate for the rights of Arizona workers. Arizona law requires almost all employers to carry workers compensation insurance. This insurance pays for medical treatment, rehabilitation therapy, lost wages, and some other expenses in the event a worker is injured on the job. While this coverage is for the purpose of helping workers who suffer injuries, it is not always easy to obtain the compensation to which an employee is entitled. To get the full amount of compensation you are entitled to and you deserve, contact Snow and Carpio, PLC for a free case evaluation.

No Fault System

One of the most important aspects of the workers compensation system is that it is a no fault system. Benefits are neither increased nor decreased by whose fault caused the injury. If the injury arises out of and in the course of employment it should be covered. The elimination of any fault issues is one of the ways the system has been designed to insure the delivery of prompt benefits without dispute.

Benefits

Worker’s compensation pays limited benefits. Generally, any medical expense related to the injury must be covered. You are also entitled to a percentage of your lost wages for time off work. In some cases, there is also a permanent disability benefit. In exchange for giving up full compensation for your injuries and losses the system has been designed to provide you speedy benefits. However, sometimes insurance carriers abuse the system with frivolous delays and denials. The hearing process instead of being used for resolutions of good faith disputes gets used as a built in delay mechanism to coerce settlement or claim abandonment. This can be worker’s compensation bad faith.

Reporting a Workplace Injury

Once an on-the–job injury has occurred, the employer has the right to be notified so that it may investigate the circumstances of the injury, and provide treatment to minimize the injury. This legal requirement operates in the interests of both parties. A prejudicial failure to report an injury may act to bar the entire workers compensation claim, therefore it’s important to report an injury to an employer as soon as you reasonably believe you have suffered an injury that will involve medical care or time off work.

Filing an Arizona Workers Compensation Claim

It is also important to file an Arizona workers compensation claim as soon as possible, because it generally takes about 30 days to receive an initial determination of the insurance carrier’s acceptance or denial of a claim. The workers compensation claim may be filed with the Industrial Commission of Arizona in one of two ways. The injured worker may file the claim directly with the Arizona Industrial Commission or the physician or hospital attending an injured worker will do so, as they are required to report any industrial accidents to the Industrial Commission.

Claim Acceptance or Denial

Once the Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA) receives the filed claim, it will notify the employer’s insurance carrier of the claim. There is no limit for the ICA to perform the notification, but it generally takes 7-10 days. Once the insurance carrier is notified of the claim, it has 21 days to formally accept or deny the claim. If the carrier does not respond to the claim within those 21 days, the carrier is responsible to provide benefits from the date of notice as if it had accepted the claim until such time it issues a formal denial.

Workers’ Compensation Hearing Process

If a claim is denied, a hearing request must be filed with the Industrial Commission of Arizona. The claim will then be set for hearing before an Arizona Administrative Law Judge. Both sides have a right to present evidence, including witnesses, medical records, and physician testimony. Once an issue becomes contested and the hearing process has begun, it generally takes a minimum six months and frequently up to one year for resolution by a judicial award. Having an experienced workers compensation lawyer at the hearing is often critical, as there are numerous issues that can be disputed and be presented at hearings in a workers’ compensation claim.

Medical & Disability Stages

Generally, there are three stages to an accepted workers’ compensation claim; temporary total disability (TTD), temporary partial disability (TPD), and permanent partial disability (PPD). Each of these stages is based upon medical decisions. Stage changes will be based on the opinions of your treating physician or from the carrier’s “independent” medical examination physician. While not all medical examiners are biased, carriers will sometimes schedule so-called “independent” medical examinations, with physicians who are reputed to provide biased opinions in favor of insurance companies, in order to avoid medical and disability benefits to its insured workers. This is one of the ways in which disputes arise which need to be resolved through the hearing process, or in some circumstances, through a bad faith action.

Temporary Total Disability (TTD)

TTD means that you are temporarily, totally disabled or unable to work because of your injury. A physician has documented that the injured worker is unable to work, either because time is needed to diagnose the injury and the physician does not want to risk further injury, the injury needs time to heal, or any other reasoning in the physician’s opinion. During this stage, the industrial carrier should pay the totality of medical expenses related to the industrial injury that are provided by the approved physician.

In addition, it should pay 2/3 of lost wages, with checks coming in two-week intervals. The highest wage recognized by the Workers Compensation Act depends on the year you were injured. For 2009 injuries, the highest wage recognized by law is $3,600.00 per month, and therefore the maximum disability benefit payable is $2,400.00 per month. An insurance carrier may dispute a TTD status with the opinion from its own physician that the worker is capable of working. In that event a hearing may be necessary.

Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)

TPD means that you still need medical care, but a physician feels that you are able to return to the duties of your regular work, or perhaps modified or light duty. During this stage, the carrier continues to pay the totality of medical expenses from the approved physician, but now pays 2/3 of the difference between your established average monthly wage (AMW) and the wages you are “able to earn” within your medical restrictions. This is an issue that is litigated with increasing frequency. The worker will often contend that his employer does not have light duty available, and that he has looked for other light duty jobs without success, and therefore, is entitled to continuing full disability benefits. Carriers may respond that the worker could have found other light duty jobs, and the carrier will then reduce disability benefits, taking credit for wages it claims the worker was able to earn, even if no wages were earned. Denial of disability benefits is a tactic sometimes used to force desperate workers to settle for less than what is owed. Disability checks during this stage must be paid at least every 30 days.

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)

PPD means that the case has closed from further active medical care, but that the worker has suffered a permanent disability as a result of the injury. Either the worker’s physician, or the carrier’s physician, has stated an opinion that the patient has received maximum benefit from medical treatment, and that further treatment will not provide any additional permanent improvement to the injury. Serious injuries may then be awarded a permanent disability through a permanent impairment rating.

Permanent impairments may or may not pay permanent disability benefits. There are two types of permanent disabilities, scheduled and unscheduled. A scheduled disability will pay a “scheduled” amount of money for the disability, without regard to the impact of that disability on your life or ability to work. An unscheduled disability will pay lifetime benefits, on a monthly basis, based on a loss of earning capacity (LEC). Generally, if a worker can return to date-of-injury wages, there is no LEC, and no disability benefit is paid. If the worker can only return to lesser wages, because of the injury, then a disability benefit based on 55% of the recognized loss is paid monthly. These are frequently disputed issues in Arizona workers’ compensation cases.

Change of Address

All clients must notify our office of a change in address or phone number immediately so that as required by law, it can be reported to the Industrial Commission of Arizona and the Insurance Carrier and any/all interested parties to the claim. It is also very important because as your attorney, we must have current information on file for you so that we may contact you regarding Depositions, Hearings, Medical Appointments and any information relating to your case.

Surveillance

Clients must be aware that Insurance Carriers can and will conduct surveillance on clients to confirm that the injuries and restrictions they are claiming are true. Clients must be aware that all of their actions may be videotaped and used as part of the court process.

Supportive Care

Serious injuries in Arizona may be awarded supportive care. This is generally a right to return to the physician several times a year to receive medications, or other minor treatments for flare-ups or exacerbations of the residual injury. Under supportive care, the claim remains closed, but treatment is authorized to the injured worker. In addition, once the claim has been accepted, if that medical condition is ever found to present something new, additional, or previously undiscovered from the time the claim was closed, the claim may be reopened for additional medical care to treat that condition. Reopening begins the process for payment of medical and disability ben

To speak with either myself or another attorney at the firm, please call and schedule your free consultation. You can reach us at 602-532-0700 or contact us through our website at http://www.snowcarpio.com/.

What Compensation Am I Entitled To?

2011-06-15T08:34:00.000-07:00

Workers' compensation pays limited benefits. Generally, any medical expense related to the injury must be covered. You are also entitled to a percentage of your lost wages for time away from work.

There are three stages to an accepted workers' compensation claim: temporary total disability (TTD), temporary partial disability (TPD), and permanent partial disability (PPD).

Temporary total disability should pay two-thirds of lost wages, with checks coming in two-week intervals. The highest wage recognized by the Workers Compensation Act depends on the year you were injured.

Under temporary partial disability, the carrier continues to pay the total medical expenses from the approved physician, but now pays 2/3 of the difference between your established average monthly wage and the wages you are able to earn within your medical restrictions. Temporary partial disability is paid while you are still receiving active medical care, but have been released to work with restrictions, often referred to as "light duty" work. If your employer cannot accommodate your restrictions, you will receive full compensation of 2/3 of your regular wage, but paid every 30 days.

Permanent partial disability means that the case has closed from further active medical care, but the worker has suffered a permanent disability as a result of the injury. Depending on the type of injury you have sustained, you may be entitled to either a one time lump sum payment to compensate you for your injuries, or you may receive a permanent monthly pension if you are unable to return to your regular work and have a "loss of earning capacity" as a result of your injuries.

For more information or to schedule a free consultation with an attorney, contact Snow and Carpio at 602-532-0700.

2011-06-13T10:55:00.001-07:00

Are You Confused About Filing a Workers' Compensation Claim in Arizona?

You should never be reluctant to report an injury that you suffered while on the job. In fact, Arizona's Workers' Compensation Law requires that workers who sustain an on-the-job injury "forthwith report" their injury to their employer. "Forthwith" means that as soon as you realize you have an injury that may be related to your work, you must report it to a supervisor or manager immediately.

Arizona's "no fault" system means that it does not matter how or why you were seriously injured. No one can be blamed for your accident. Even if you placed yourself in harm's way during a work day and were hurt because of it, this aspect of your case is irrelevant under state law.

Still, you should report your work injury to your employer as soon as possible. Failure to "forthwith report" an on-the-job injury can result in the insurance company denying liability for your injuries.

Inform Your Employer of Your Serious Injury — Then Inform Snow & Carpio, PLC

Another reason it is important to report your injury and file an Arizona workers' compensation claim as soon as possible: It generally takes about 30 days to receive an initial determination of the insurance carrier's acceptance or denial of a claim. Your claim may be filed directly with the Industrial Commission of Arizona, or your attending physician or hospital will do so. They are required to report any industrial accidents to our state's Industrial Commission.Once your serious injury has been reported, we can start the hard work of investigating the details of your accident and strive for the results you need.

Tiebreaker IME's in Arizona Workers Comp Cases

2011-06-05T21:22:00.001-07:00

One issue that is frequently litigated in Arizona work injury claims is whether or not additional medical care is necessary or not and whether or not it is related to the industrial injury. Usually there is a treating doctor on the side of the applicant wanting to perform additional care and a defense medical expert on the side of the carrier saying either that no further care is needed, or that any additional treatment is not related to the work accident.

The problem with litigating these medical issues is that they can often take forever to litigate, often up to 10 or 12 months. Meanwhile, the injured worker is suffering and not receiving any compensation. One solution that I often recommend to my clients is proposing a "tiebreaker" IME to the carrier/employer's attorney. A tiebreaker is a truly "independent" medical exam where the physician is agreed to by the two parties and a joint letter sent explaining the tiebreaker agreement.

There are positives and negatives about these kinds of agreements. On the positive side, the injured worker gets a decision about their claim much sooner and it is made by a doctor, not a judge. On the negative side, if the doctor indicates that no further treatment is needed, the injured worker is bound by that opinion.

Tiebreaker IME's aren't always the best option, but in cases where I feel that the diagnostic testing is strong and my client is very credible, I'm comfortable recommending them as an alternative to the lengthy litigation process.

Chad T. Snow is a workers compensation attorney in Phoenix and Tucson Arizona. His office can be reached at (602) 532-0700 or (520) 647-9000 or through his website at www.snowcarpio.com.

05/31/2011 - Russell Pearce Recall - Chad Snow and Randy Parraz Announce the Number of Petitions

2011-06-01T09:36:00.002-07:00

05/31/2011 - Russell Pearce Recall - Randy Parraz Reading the Proclamation

2011-06-01T09:34:00.000-07:00

Russell Pearce opponents file recall petitions

2011-06-01T09:06:00.000-07:00

Arizona Industrial Commission Annual Claims Seminar

2011-05-29T22:28:00.001-07:00

The Industrial Commission of Arizona has announced their annual Claims Seminar to take place on August 11-12, 2011 at the Wigwam Resort. The Claims Seminar is geared toward giving basic information on Arizona work injury claims to employers, claim representatives, medical professionals, attorneys, paralegals, and other providers in the workers compensation industry in Arizona.

Registration is $125.00 per day for the two day seminar and must be received no later than August 5, 2011. Questions about the seminar can be answered by calling (602) 542-1779 or online at http://www.ica.state.az.us/Events/CLAIMS_Seminar_2011.aspx

The first day of the seminar is usually dedicated to presentations by Industrial Commission employees on basic workers compensation topics such as claims filing and processing, average monthly wage, medical benefits, and so forth. The second day is more geared towards attorneys and has a legislative and case law review of major changes in workers compensation law from the prior year.

Chad Snow is a workers compensation lawyer with offices in Phoenix and Tucson. He can be reached at (602) 532-0700 or (520) 647-9000. His website is http://www.snowcarpio.com/

What benefits are available for a worker who is killed on the job in Arizona?

2011-05-26T11:24:00.002-07:00

This entry deals with the saddest cases that we handle as worker’s compensation attorneys in Arizona, where a worker is killed on the job. An employee who dies as a result of an accident arising out of his employment or an occupational disease may have three different claims:

1. A claim for death compensation benefits for his or her survivors.
2. A claim for burial expenses.
3. A claim for medical expenses incurred before the employee’s death.

In cases for compensation benefits for survivors, surviving spouses, children, parents, or siblings may be eligible to receive a “death compensation benefit” which consists of a percentage of the employee’s average monthly wage at time of death. A surviving spouse is entitled to monthly benefits in an amount equal to 35% of the deceased worker’s average monthly wage. Those benefits, however, end upon the remarriage or death of the surviving spouse. For each surviving child, an additional benefit of 15% of the worker’s average monthly wage is added up to a maximum of 66 2/3% of the employee’s average monthly wage at time of death. Surviving children benefits end at age 18. In order to qualify for surviving spouse benefits, the surviving spouse must have been legally married to the deceased worker at the time of the injury. In cases where a surviving parent, brother, or sister was wholly or partially dependent on the injured worker at the time of death, they may also be entitled to survivor’s benefits in different amounts.

In claims for burial expenses, the employer and carrier usually pay out a lump sum of $5,000.00 to cover any reasonable burial expenses occurring as a result of the on-the-job death.

Because of the complexity of on-the-job death cases and the possibility that a claim against a third-party may result, survivors of a deceased worker should always consult with an experienced worker’s compensation attorney.

Back From Spain!!!

2011-05-26T07:08:00.001-07:00

Madrid

Sevilla

O.K., I'm not going to lie - I'd much rather still be in Spain than here blogging about Arizona workers compensation. As many of you know, I lived in Spain from 1990 to 1992 as a missionary for the LDS Church. I've returned for vacations several times since and it's amazing how the country has changed.

This time, we enjoyed a Real Madrid soccer game at the Bernabeu Stadium, one of the coolest things I've ever done. We sat second row, I've got great pics of the players. We also saw Los Miserables, Les Mis in Spanish. We saw two flamenco shows, a bullfight, and all the sights of Sevilla and Madrid, two of the most beautiful cities in the world. We rode Spain's high speed train, the AVE, twice at speeds up to 200 miles per hour. Would be nice if we had something like that here in Arizona.

Now I'm back. Joe Arpaio is still corrupt and hopefully a little closer to being indicted. Our recall group of Russell Pearce, Citizens for a Better Arizona, has collected even more signatures and will be dropping them off at the Secretary of State's office next week (more on that in a later post). And I've got a pile of work on my desk. I'll be back to blogging daily on various Arizona Workmans Comp topics.

Chad T. Snow is an attorney at the Arizona law firm of Snow & Carpio, which has offices in Phoenix and Tucson. He can be reached at (520) 647-9000, (602) 532-0700, or at his website http://www.snowcarpio.com/.

2011-05-23T09:20:00.001-07:00

Happy Monday!

Attorney Snow will be back in the office on Wednesday and hopefully posting some new blogs for everybody to read by next Monday.

Until then, be safe, have a wonderful week and remember...the best compliment you can give is a referral!

Please remember Snow and Carpio the next time you know of somebody who may need assistance with their Workers' Compensation or Social Security Disability issues.

Thank you!

What can be included in my average monthly wage?

2011-05-19T13:53:00.001-07:00

As we have discussed previously, any compensation that is paid to a worker injured on the job in Arizona is based on a percentage of that worker’s “average monthly wage” at the time of his or her industrial injury. In previous blog posts, I have discussed how the average monthly wage is calculated. This post will deal with what kinds of benefits, other than salary, can be included in the calculation of the average monthly wage.

I had an interesting case today where a potential client was given a vehicle for his personal use, in addition to his salary. The carrier calculated his average monthly wage using only his salary. Because I consider the personal vehicle an additional item to which a monetary value can be attached, I am of the opinion that the value of that personal vehicle can be included in the calculation of this man’s average monthly wage. Another very typical scenario is the example of where an apartment maintenance worker is given a free apartment in addition to his salary. In those cases, it is very clear that the value of the rent of that apartment can be included in the calculation of the wage. At the same time, however, if the employer continues to provide the additional benefit such as vehicle or housing after the industrial injury, the insurance carrier can take a credit for the cash value of that item as long as it continues to be provided by the employer.

As I have also discussed previously, earnings from other jobs apart from the employer where the worker was injured, can also be included in the average monthly wage calculation. These are called concurrent earnings. In order to be considered concurrent earnings, those wages have to be earned for an employer who is covered under the worker’s compensation act.

Because the average monthly wage dictates the amount of compensation that you will receive for the rest of your claim, it is very important that it be calculated correctly. I always advise injured workers to seek the counsel of an experienced worker’s compensation attorney with any questions about their claims.

How will working affect my permanent worker’s compensation benefits in Arizona?

2011-05-19T13:06:00.004-07:00

When are permanent benefits not really permanent? When they are received as a result of an on-the-job injury in Arizona. As I have discussed before, there are two different kinds of permanent injuries in Arizona workman’s compensation claims. Scheduled injuries are those that involve a specific body part that is listed on the schedule of impairments found at A.R.S. Section 23-1044. If an injured worker sustains a permanent injury only to that body part, once the condition is found to be medically stationary by the treating physician, a set number of payments are made by the insurance carrier to compensate the injured worker for the permanent damage to that body part. Although this is called permanent compensation, that does not mean that the compensation will endure forever, but rather that it is to compensate the worker for the permanent effects of his or her injury. While the worker is receiving these “scheduled” payments, he or she can work without limit and will still receive a check every month during this period set for in the statute.

The other type of “permanent” benefits in Arizona worker’s compensation claims are known as unscheduled injuries. As I have discussed in previous posts, this is compensation to compensate the injured worker for wages lost as a result of his or her industrial injury. Once the worker’s condition is found to be medically stationary, the Industrial Commission makes a determination as to what work the injured worker can still perform in spite of his or her permanent restrictions. If that amount is less than what he or she earned at the time of the injury, the insurance company begins to pay a monthly benefit. The Commission’s Award specifically indicates that this benefit is to continue for such time as a loss of earning capacity exists or until the death of the worker.

The question then becomes how does work activity affect this “permanent” benefit. The answer is as long as your earnings are equal to or less than the amount that the Industrial Commission determined you are able to earn when your claim was closed, there will be no affect on the permanent benefits. If your earnings begin to exceed the amount that was determined, the insurance carrier will likely request that the Commission reduce your permanent monthly benefit. Carriers are entitled to send out an Annual Report of Income to an injured worker who is required to report his or her earnings during the previous 12 months. If the carrier sees that you are earning a significantly higher amount, they will more than likely request that the Industrial Commission rearrange your benefits and pay less.

Since there are many variations on these general rules, any questions regarding work after a claim is closed should be directed to an attorney who practices Arizona worker’s compensation law.

Where in the world is Attorney Snow......???

2011-05-18T16:07:00.001-07:00

If you guessed Spain, you're right!

Attorney Snow and his family are visiting Spain for the next 10 days. We wish him a safe trip and a relaxing, joyous vacation.

Until then, check out our Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Snow-and-Carpio-PLC/129899957064544

Critics call for AZ sheriff to resign, be indicted

2011-05-12T08:52:00.000-07:00

http://herald-review.com/news/national/image_b93da4f7-c51b-50ee-9f0c-bfa08ccd2861.html

2011-05-11T14:20:00.000-07:00

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/05/11/arizona.sheriff.investigation/

County Supervisor and others call on Sheriff Joe Arpaio to resign after a series of scandals

2011-05-11T14:15:00.000-07:00

http://driftlessweb.com/county-supervisor-and-others-call-on-sheriff-joe-arpaio-to-resign-after-a-series-of-scandals/

Critics call for Arizona sheriff to resign, for feds to indict him amid corruption probe

2011-05-11T14:13:00.001-07:00

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/world/breakingnews/121656414.html

County supervisor calls for Arpaio to resign

2011-05-11T14:01:00.001-07:00

http://ktar.com/category/local-news-articles/20110511/Group-calls-on-Arpaio-to-resign/

Critics call for Arizona sheriff to resign, for feds to indict him amid corruption probe

2011-05-11T13:56:00.000-07:00

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/critics-call-for-arizona-sheriff-to-resign-for-feds-to-indict-him-amid-corruption-probe/2011/05/11/AFyPOMrG_story.html

Board asked to place MCSO in receivership .

2011-05-11T13:48:00.000-07:00

http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/Board-asked-to-place-MCSO-in-receivership-121649299.html

Sheriff Joe's Toughest Critics Call For His Resignation

2011-05-11T13:42:00.002-07:00

Sheriff Joe's Toughest Critics Call For His Resignation : MyFoxPHOENIX.com

Joe Arpaio critics demand his resignation

2011-05-11T13:32:00.001-07:00

Joe Arpaio critics demand his resignation

New Attorney Photos

2011-05-10T16:11:00.001-07:00

X. Alex Carpio, Erica Gonzalez-Melendez and Chad Snow

Erica Gonzalez-Melendez, Attorney

SCF Won't Buy Your Weed

2011-05-09T21:14:00.001-07:00

If you were sitting around munching on Cheetos wondering if you could get the workers compensation carrier to pay for your pot, you are soooorely mistaken. In a blow to stoners injured on the job everywhere, SCF recently put out an official statement that they will not cover medical Maui Wowie even if the injured worker has a valid registry identification card.

Voters last year in Arizona approved the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act which allows cardholders registered with the State Department of Health Services to obtain or cultivate their own Mary Jane. However, SCF - the state's largest workers comp carrier, takes the position that the law does not require an insurance company to cover the medical use of Wacky Tabacky. Their justification is that insurance companies in several other states have taken the same position and that possession of Ganja is still a federal offense.

So if you just had your spine fused and the only thing that can take care of your pain is a little Acapulco Gold, you're gonna have to talk to your other friends, because SCF is Bogarting the Doobie.

For more info see: https://www.scfaz.com/about_us/pubs_legal_briefs.php?load=pubs_legal_briefs_q4_10.html

Chad T. Snow is a workers compensation attorney in Tucson and Phoenix Arizona. He has never smoked marijuana although he did try to smoke shredded jerky once at Scout camp. He can be reached at (520) 647-9000, (602) 532-0700, or http://www.snowcarpio.com/

Misspending by Arpaio's agency: Activists call for public hearing

2011-05-09T08:44:00.000-07:00

Misspending by Arpaio's agency: Activists call for public hearing

What to Expect at My "Free Consultation"

2011-05-03T15:49:00.001-07:00

Many attorneys offer what we call a "Free Consultation". It sounds a little suspect but is really one of the great bargains in the law business. Can you imagine a doctor meeting with you for 1/2 an hour, listening to your complaints, giving you a diagnosis, and telling you what treatment you need - FOR NOTHING? It sounds ridiculous. Even plumbers and mechanics charge a "diagnosis fee". But us lawyers are better people!

A free consultation is just that - a consultation with an attorney to get a brief review of your case at no charge. In our office, it usually means a brief meeting with our intake paralegal Martha, to get basic information about the claim, followed by a 15-20 minute chat with one of the attorneys. Martha has over 30 years experience in the Arizona workers comp field so she's a good person to talk to. If we feel like you have a matter that requires an attorney, and if you want to hire us, you can retain us at that time. Oftentimes, in cases that don't require attorney representation, we simply give you free legal advice about red flags to look out for in your case and other useful information. These would be things like how much temporary compensation you're entitled to, if you will get a "settlement" of your claim, your right to choose your own treating doctor, and other benefits you may be entitled to.

So don't be afraid - whether your legal problem is in the area of Arizona workers (workmans) compensation or another area, take advantage of the free consultation. Heck, get two or three of them if you want! They're free!!!

Chad T. Snow is a lawyer in Arizona practicing exclusively workers compensation. He has offices in Phoenix and Tucson and can be reached through his firm's web site http://www.snowcarpio.com/

Injured Worker's Duty to Inform Carrier of Surgery

2011-05-03T10:57:00.001-07:00

Something we've run into recently on a couple of cases that bears mentioning here is the duty that a worker injured on the job in Arizona has to notify the employer's insurance carrier of a pending surgery at least 10 days before it takes place. This general rule is true for any medical treatment for which the carrier may ultimately be responsible. It is true even if the carrier has denied your claim or has closed out your accepted claim.

Many of our clients who have denied or closed claims decide to go ahead and proceed with their surgery through their private health insurance rather than wait the 8-12 months that it can sometimes take to get a decision through the Industrial Commission. That is fine - if the claim is ultimately accepted or reopened, the industrial carrier simply reimburses the private insurance company for bills they've paid. However, if the injured worker fails to give the workers comp carrier adequate advance notice of the surgery, the carrier can be relieved of their liability to pay for the surgery or other treatment. The rationale for this is that the carrier has a right to have the worker evaluated by a physician of their choosing prior to undergoing the surgery. Think of your injured body part as "evidence" - they have a right to examine that evidence before you change it.

If you fail to give adequate notice and the carrier is relieved of having to pay for the surgery, they may still be liable for compensation and other post-surgical expenses after the date that they are notified.

Chad T. Snow is a workers (workmans) compensation attorney in Arizona. He has offices in Phoenix and Tucson and can be reached at (602) 532-0700 or (520) 647-9000.

What to Look for In A Workers Comp Attorney

2011-04-30T23:58:00.002-07:00

I read a competitor friend's blog recently and it listed several things that an injured worker should look for in a workers comp attorney. Some I agreed with, others I don't - different strokes for different folks. At any rate, I've made my own list of important things to look for in a workers comp attorney in Arizona:

1. The attorney practices exclusively workers compensation. Workers comp is an extremely specialized area of the law. Attorneys who try and dabble in it are unaware of certain biases that doctors or judges may have, and some of the more subtle nuances of the law.

2. The attorney has great staff. This is where I take exception with my competitor friend. As an attorney, if I'm answering the telephone or on hold with your pharmacy, or tracking down your medical records, or making copies, that means I'm not doing real legal work on your case. At Snow & Carpio, we have 10 paralegals and secretaries who have as much as 30 years experience in the workers compensation field. This means that if you have an urgent matter, you don't have to wait for me to get out of court or answer 20 other phone calls to deal with it. It also means I have more time to spend meeting with clients and preparing their cases for court.

3. If you speak Spanish, it is extremely important that your attorney speak your language. I don't know how many times I've been doing a hearing in Spanish where the entire case has hinged on testimony that was interpreted incorrectly. If I hadn't been able to understand and correct the interpretation, the case would've gone the other way. Also, attorneys have an ethical obligation to communicate with their clients. My experience is that attorneys who can't speak their client's language, generally have much less communication with that client, usually handing them off to a spanish speaking paralegal or secretary.

4. You want an experienced attorney, but not too experienced. I've always thought that the best doctors were the ones who had enough experience to have seen everything before, but not too much experience to where they don't stay current on new developments or are just going through the motions. I think the same is true for attorneys. Some attorneys are still handling their cases the way they were handled in the 1970's and haven't kept up with the times.

5. Aggressive doesn't necessarily mean effective. I always laugh at attorney television commercials that tout how "aggressive" the lawyer is. My experience is that some attorneys mask their incompetence by being aggressive or impolite to the opposing party. It has taken me several years to learn that if I am rude to the claim adjustor or their attorney, I get much less accomplished on your case. The saying "you get more flies with honey" is certainly true in Arizona workers/workmans comp cases.

6. Get an attorney who is willing to change your doctor. One of the most effective things we do at Snow & Carpio is make sure our client is treating with a doctor that is more interested in their recovery, and less interested in saving the insurance company money. If your attorney lets you treat with Concentra, for example, or doesn't at least ask you if you feel comfortable with your treating doctor, you might need a new attorney.

7. Your attorney is a real person who gets to know you and treats you like a trusted friend. I've seen many workers comp attorneys who act almost nervous around their working class clients and seem to talk down to them. Alex Carpio and I both worked blue collar jobs for many years before becoming attorneys. We come from humble backgrounds and know how difficult it is for our clients to survive from comp check to comp check. We take a personal interest in our clients and their families. Many of our old clients still come around and invite us to their kids' quinceaneras, weddings, or just let us know how they're doing. Most of our clients come on referral from other clients, which tells us that our clients can tell that we care about them as people, and don't just see them as a necessary means to make our living.

There are many more things to look for. When looking for an attorney to handle your claim, you should meet with 3 or 4 attorneys and get a feel for who you are comfortable with. It is one of the more important decisions you will make.

Chad T. Snow is an attorney who handles exclusively workers compensation matters for injured workers in Arizona. He has offices in Phoenix and Tucson and can be reached through his website, http://www.snowcarpio.com/.

2011 Los Abogados Laugh Fest (04/28/11)

2011-04-29T09:38:00.000-07:00

(L-R) Alex Carpio, Nina Carpio, Chad Snow, Javier Melendez, Erica Gonzalez-Melendez, April Snow, Kirk Snow, Martha Diaz and Nola Dierken

Javier Melendez and Erica Gonzalez-Melendez

Erica Gonzalez-Melendez, April Snow and Martha Diaz

How Does the Doctor Get Paid in Arizona Work Comp Claim?

2011-04-27T21:43:00.002-07:00

One of the good things about Arizona workers/workmans compensation is that an injured worker has 100% coverage of all medical expenses related to his or her injury. Coverage of the injury can last for the entire lifetime of the injured worker.

The insurance carrier pays the medical providers directly based on a fee schedule set by the Industrial Commission of Arizona. A.R.S. 23-908 sets the maximum fee that a physician or pharmacy can charge for treatment or medications. Many times the insurance carrier negotiates a special lower rate with a provider and that may be the reason they want you to treat with a specific doctor.

For the most part, the Arizona Workers Compensation fee schedule pays substantially more than private insurance or Medicare, so many doctors are eager to treat injured workers. The fee schedule is set by taking the fee schedules of 7 other states and calculating the 75th percentile of what they pay for different medical treatments. Fees for durable medical equipment, nurse practitioners, physicians assistants, and orthopedic devices are not set in the fee schedule.

The industrial commission of Arizona reviews the fee schedule yearly rotating through the different types of treatment every four years. For more thorough information about the fee schedule, see the Industrial Commission website at http://www.ica.state.az.us/Director/DIR_FSFAQs2010.aspx

Chad T. Snow is an attorney who limits his practice to representation of injured workers before the Industrial Commission of Arizona and Social Security Administration. He can be reached at (602) 532-0700 in Phoenix, or (520) 647-9000 in Tucson.

2011-04-26T09:13:00.000-07:00

Our Tucson Office

2011-04-22T14:24:00.002-07:00

1801 East Broadway Blvd.

Tucson, AZ 85719

Arpaio worried about civil rights?

2011-04-21T08:58:00.001-07:00

Arpaio worried about civil rights?

Do I Need to Answer Interrogatories in AZ Work Comp Case?

2011-04-18T10:15:00.001-07:00

Many clients who are litigating their work injury claims in Arizona call us after they receive a large packet of information from the attorney representing the insurance carrier. One of the most intimidating contents of this packet are the "interrogatories", which are a series of (usually 25) written questions about the injury, witnesses, medical treatment received, and legal defenses/arguments that will be presented at hearing.

I rarely answer interrogatories for two reasons: (1) the insurance company's attorney will be taking your deposition (under oath) soon anyways so they can get the information verbally at that time; (2) they're a huge waste of time.

However, if the carrier's attorney insists on getting answers to the Interrogatories, it is always advisable to answer them. Sometimes, the attorney will ask the judge presiding over your case to issue an Order compelling you to answer the interrogatories. If you receive such an order from the judge, answer the interrogatories IMMEDIATELY. Failure to do so can result in your request for hearing being dismissed or the judge entering some other sanction against you, including having the pay the attorney's fees of the carrier's attorney for the time spent forcing you to answer.

If you have questions about Interrogatories that you've received, the deposition, or the hearing process or your workman's comp claim in general, please contact us at (602) 532-0700 or (520) 647-9000 or through our website at http://www.snowcarpio.com/http://www.snowcarpio.com/

Work Related "Stress" Injuries In Arizona Work Comp

2011-04-15T18:08:00.001-07:00

We get a lot of calls from potential clients who want to file a workers comp claim because they have a lot of stress at work or their boss is just a jerk and they can't handle it anymore. The short answer is, "get over it. We're all stressed!" The long, more legal and politically correct answer is, in order to be compensable, a mental injury must be precipitated by an event that is "unexpected, unusual, or extraordinary stress."

The proof required for mental injuries is more stringent than that required for physical injuries because of the difficulty in proving a causal connection between mental illness and work-related stress. As the Arizona workers Comp Handbook so eloquently states, "in today's society, emotional stress has multiple causes. Some are work-related, others are not.

There are two types of emotional stress cases: in the first, the mental injury is caused by a single incident. In the second, the injury producing event is gradual in nature. The former are usually easier to prove compensable. Examples would be where an employee sees a co-worker get shot or die or where the employee hits and kills a pedestrian while on the job. The latter (gradual) are less likely to be accepted because of the difficulty in proving a causal connection.

Summary, if you're stressed because your boss is a jerk, you're overworked, your hours got cut, or your co-worker makes annoying nose sounds, man up and get over it.
If you have a truly stressful event at work, call Snow and Carpio at (602) 532-0700 or (520) 647-9000 or visit us at www.snowcarpio.com.http://www.snowcarpio.com/

2011-04-15T08:39:00.006-07:00

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2011-04-14/news/russell-pearce-is-his-own-worst-enemy/

East Valley Tribune

2011-04-13T09:39:00.002-07:00

Pearce recall group closing in on signature total

2011-04-13T09:38:00.002-07:00

Pearce recall group closing in on signature total

News Channel 3

2011-04-13T09:37:00.004-07:00

2011-04-13T09:35:00.004-07:00

Movement to Recall Sen. Russell Pearce Gains Momentum: MyFoxPHOENIX.com

Meet the Staff at Snow and Carpio - Arizona's Best Workers Compensation Firm!!!

2011-04-10T21:05:00.002-07:00

S&C Holiday Party 2010

One of the things that Alex and I feel sets us apart as Arizona's best workers compensation firm is the experience and quality of our staff. When you hire an attorney to represent you in your work injury case, you are hiring more than the attorney. Much of the work on your case will be done by paralegals and legal secretaries and you may have more contact with them than with the attorney. With that having been said, meet some of our staff:

Martha Diaz - Martha has been working in the area of Arizona workers compensation since 1979. With over 32 years of experience handling Arizona work injury claims, Martha has worked on literally tens of thousands of cases! She is currently our intake specialist and meets with all potential new clients. Martha and I have worked together since 1992 - everything I know about workers compensation I learned from Martha!

Nola Dierken - Nola has worked as a paralegal for several Arizona workers comp law firms representing both insurance companies and injured workers since 1989. Nola and I have also worked together since 1992 on thousands of cases. She currently works as my litigation paralegal. Nola's great organizational skills make up for my lack of organization!

April Snow - April is our business manager and is also married to my older brother Kirk! Before joining Snow and Carpio, April owned her own large roof tile manufacturing company for seven years. April has taken the firm to another level with her business development and customer service skills.

Melissa Felix - Melissa has worked in the workers compensation field since 2004. She works now as my pre-litigation paralegal. Melissa may be one of the friendliest people you ever meet - seriously!

Angelina Acosta - Angie started with our firm as a receptionist in 2006 when she was just 19 years old. We quickly realized that she could do a lot more than answer phones and she has moved up to legal secretary and is currently working as Alex Carpio's pre-litigation paralegal.

Crystal Rios - Crystal was the first employee hired by the firm back at the start in 2003. At the time, she was attending the Paralegal program at Phoenix College. She has worked her way through undergraduate studies at University of Phoenix and recently graduated with her Juris Doctorate degree from Phoenix School of Law.

Ligia Enriquez - Ligia is another employee who started as our receptionist in 2008 and moved up to paralegal. Ligia is the paralegal on all of our Social Security Disability cases.

Erica Gonzalez-Melendez - Erica and I met in Law School at ASU in the late 1990's. After law school, she worked in the areas of personal injury and for a time as a city prosecutor. After taking time off to have two children, Erica has returned to practice in the areas of workers compensation and also handles some family law, criminal law, and immigration cases. She also sits on the Board of Directors of Chicanos Por la Causa.

Elsa Flores - Elsa is our newest receptionist and also attends Phoenix College part-time. She has already far exceeded our expectations and recently did the entire translation of our website into Spanish. We hope she will be with the firm for many years.

Combined, the members of our firm's team have handles literally thousands of Arizona workers compensation cases over 5 decades! Most of our team speaks spanish and almost all are native Arizonans. Some of us have worked in several other firms handling workers compensation and we all agree that Snow and Carpio is the best!!!

Chad T. Snow is an attorney handling Social Security Disability and Workers Compensation claims in Arizona. He can be reached through his firm's website at http://www.snowcarpio.com/ or at (602) 532-0700 in the Phoenix office and (520) 647-9000 in Tucson.

Mileage Reimbursements in Arizona Work Injury Claims

2011-04-10T20:27:00.003-07:00

Many workers injured on the job in Arizona ask me if they are entitled to mileage reimbursement for travel incurred for treatment for their on-the-job injuries. There is no hard and fast rule to answer this. However, the general rule that I use is that if there is no specialist in the area where you live, and you have to travel more than 50 miles to obtain treatment, you are probably entitled to reimbursement for your mileage. The mileage is reimbursed at the federal mileage reimbursement rate, which (last I checked) was 47 cents per mile.

The theory behind this rule is that when the injured worker was working, they were incurring expenses traveling to and from work every day, that they aren't incurring while off work recovering from their injuries. So they are only reimbursed if the travel to obtain treatment is significantly greater than what they normally travelled to and from work. However, every case is different and every carrier handles mileage reimbursement different.

Also, if your travel takes you to another city and may require you to stay overnight, you may be entitled to meal and lodging reimbursement.

Chad T. Snow is a lawyer who handles workers compensation matters throughout Arizona. He can be reached in his Phoenix office at (602) 532-0700 and in Tucson at (520) 647-9000.

My Blog Has Gone Global

2011-04-08T13:52:00.001-07:00

In an effort to better serve our clients who speak Russian, Chinese, Korean, German, French, and Japanese, our blog is now available in all of these languages!!! (We don't have any clients that speak those languages - yet...) Kudos to our business manager marketing genius extraordinaire April for finding a program that translates our blog directly into several selected languages. And if the spanish translation is any indicator, it's actually a very accurate interpretation. The Spanish language translation will actually be very helpful for our many spanish speaking clients, who we can now direct to the blog for answers to many of their frequently asked questions.

If you want to see the blog in a different language, simply scroll down to the bottom of the page, and press on the flag representing that language. Don't tell anyone about the program, I want them to think we paid to have it professionally translated into all those languages!

У меня был момент Эврика прошлой неделе, когда я узнал, что некоторые люди на самом деле читать этот блог! Теперь я должен обратить внимание на содержании, грамматике и правописании! Поэтому я попросил моего менеджера бизнес / невестка апреля по ели дизайн немного. Как обычно, она взяла его на следующий уровень

Ich hatte ein Aha-Erlebnis letzte Woche, als ich herausfand, dass einige Menschen tatsächlich dieses Blog lesen! Jetzt habe ich die Aufmerksamkeit auf den Inhalt, Grammatik, Rechtschreibung und bezahlen! fragte ich meine Business Manager / Schwägerin April bis Fichte das Design ein wenig. Wie üblich, nahm sie es auf die nächste Ebene

Changes to My Arizona Workers Compensation Blog

2011-04-06T22:04:00.001-07:00

I had a Eureka moment last week when I found out that several people actually read this blog!!! Now I have to pay attention to the content, grammar, and spelling! So I asked my business manager/sister in law April to spruce up the design a little bit. As usual, she took it to the next level.

First, I have asked her to tone down the huge picture of me at the top of the blog. It's obnoxious. It makes me look like a narcissistic John Elway look-alike.

She's working on that!!

But the careful reader will notice that many of the entries have pictures or graphics, there is video sprinkled throughout, and pictures and other links are down below.

My goal for the blog, other than the obvious of driving clients to my firm's website, is to give information about Arizona workman's compensation claims or cases in an entertaining, down-to-earth way. Not every injured worker needs an attorney, although every injured worker should at least talk to an attorney. If this blog can help someone better understand the Arizona workers/workman's comp process, then I'm happy with that. And if I can include the occasional funny story about wacky clients or pot smoking zookeepers, then all the better!!!

Chad T. Snow is a workers (workman's) compensation attorney who has offices in Tucson and Phoenix. He has represented thousands of Arizonans who have been injured on the job. He can be reached at (602) 532-0700 or (520) 647-9000 or through his website http://www.snowcarpio.com/

Social Security Disability in AZ by Attorney Chad Snow

2011-04-06T15:46:00.001-07:00