Under Arizona workers’ compensation law, any permanent disfigurement to an injured worker’s face, neck, or teeth is compensated as a scheduled disability. What this means is once a doctor or the Industrial Commission rates the Arizona injured worker for the percentage of impairment due to scarring on the face, neck or loss of teeth, the insurance carrier will ultimately have to pay a certain amount of benefits for that disability.
Unfortunately, the maximum amount of benefits an Arizona injured worker can receive for facial disfigurement is 18 months. The amount of compensation obviously falls short of what it should be for an injury that may change the way someone looks for the rest of their life. However, it is better than no compensation.
Please keep in mind that courts will generally interpret that the Arizona injured worker is still entitled to permanent compensation benefits for the lost teeth even if he or she has implants or dentures to replace the lost teeth.
Fendon Law Firm is the largest family owned and operated workers’ compensation and Social Security disability law firm in the State of Arizona. We have offices in Phoenix, Flagstaff, Scottsdale, Tucson, and Prescott Valley. Please feel free to call us for a free consultation on either your workers’ compensation or Social Security disability issue.
