• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Hurt on the Job? Call Bob in AZ

Hurt on the Job? Call Bob in AZ

"Justice for the injured worker"

602-234-3700
Call Today For A Free Initial Consultation
  • About Us
    • Attorneys
    • Meet the staff
    • Community
  • Workers’ Compensation
    • Benefits for injured workers
    • Am I eligible to apply?
    • My claim was denied.
    • Is PTSD covered?
    • Workers’ compensation guide
  • Work injuries
    • Back injury at work
    • Car accidents
    • Truck accidents
    • Traumatic brain injury
    • Shoulder injury
    • Slip and fall
    • View all
  • We Represent
    • Firefighters
    • Police
    • Paramedics
    • Professional Athletes
    • View all
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Free Workers’ Comp E-book
    • Reviews
    • Videos
    • Scholarships
  • FAQ
  • Contact

Arizona Set to Increase Minimum Wage for the 5th Straight Year in 2022

Hurt on the Job? Call Bob, Arizona Work Injury Lawyer
phone icon (602) 234-3700 Schedule an Appointment
Phoenix Job Injury Attorney (Home) > Blog > Work Injuries & Illnesses > Arizona Set to Increase Minimum Wage for the 5th Straight Year in 2022

November 16, 2021

The Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA) is preparing to increase the state’s minimum wage in 2022. On January 1, workers will begin receiving a minimum of $12.80 an hour. This increase is 5.3% higher than the $12.15 that many employees received in 2021.

The ICA announced the minimum wage increase after a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed a 5.3% increase in the Consumer Price Index from August 2020 to August 2021.

Minimum wage increases began in 2016, when voters approved Proposition 206. According to Prop. 206, the minimum wage must be increased yearly based on August’s inflation numbers. Prop. 206 increased the minimum wage from $8.05 to $10. Every year since, until 2020, the minimum wage has been increased again. By 2020, the minimum wage had reached $12.

Analysts say that Arizona employers likely will not feel a major impact from the pending increase since the industries that are most likely to pay minimum wage (hotels, restaurants and retailers) have already been forced to increase their pay above minimum wage for even entry level positions to find enough people to fill their empty positions.

Impact of a minimum wage increase and workers’ compensation

When it comes to workers’ compensation in Arizona, there are limits to how much employers and their insurance companies are required to pay out in benefits to their injured employees. Employers aren’t required to pay injured workers for pain and suffering.

The 3 categories of compensation which injured workers can receive benefits for include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages and disability
  • Death benefits

Reimbursement for medical expenses won’t be impacted by Arizona increasing its minimum wage; however, lost wages and death benefits will likely increase. Under Arizona’s lost wages and disability policies, workers who are injured on the job are entitled to receive 2/3 of their average monthly wage up to the maximum amount the state will pay.

Those entitled to disability payments fall under 4 categories:

  • Temporary total disability (TTD). TTD is paid to employees who are injured temporarily but will be able to return to work after treatment.
  • Temporary partial disability (TPD). TPD payments are also for temporarily injured workers. The difference is that these workers won’t be able to go back to their specific duties. Their employer will have to find an equivalent job for them to perform. Also, their restrictions will need to be specified by a physician.
  • Permanent partial disability (PPD). PPD is paid to workers who have received a permanent injury but are still capable of performing their job in some capacity.
  • Permanent total disability (PTD). PTD is paid to workers who are permanently disabled severely enough that they’re unable to continue working.

For the individuals who are unable to perform their jobs, this minimum wage increase will consequently help expand and increase workers’ compensation benefits for lost wages and disability. This will put more money in the pockets of injured workers who need it.

Like lost wages and disability payouts, death benefits are also contingent on the amount of wages that a worker earned prior to their passing. If a worker is killed at work, the compensation for their loved one(s) is 2/3 of the worker’s average monthly salary, as well as up to $5,000 for funeral and burial expenses.

If some employees are making more money because of a higher minimum wage, then naturally they would also make more if they’re injured on the job through workers’ compensation lost wage benefits.

Many individuals are confused by the workers’ compensation system and what benefits they are entitled to. To help cut through the red tape and understand your rights, consider consulting with an experienced Arizona workers’ compensation attorney at the Law Offices of Robert E. Wisniewski.

Contact our experienced legal professionals today for your free consultation.

Related resources

  • PTSD Lawyers Explain Arizona Workers' Compensation for Injured Police Officers & Law Enforcement
    PTSD Lawyers Explain Arizona Workers' Compensation for…
  • Workers’ Comp Eligibility for Arizona Independent Contractors & “Gig” Workers
    Workers’ Comp Eligibility for Arizona Independent…
  • E-Book Job Injury
    E-Book Job Injury
5-star review image
You won't be disappointed
Workers Compensation  |  Phoenix
Workers' compensation claim
2020-02-12
"I hired Robert Wisniewski for my workers compensation claim. The Law Offices of Robert Wisniewski has been excellent ..."
J.R., Verified Customer
5-star review image
Thank You for All These Years of Service
Workers Compensation  |  Phoenix
Thank You for All These Years of Service
2019-07-16
"Dear Bob, thank you for all these years of service. I dont know what I would have ..."
D.W.T., Verified Customer
5-star review image
Respect and Kindness
Workers Compensation  |  Phoenix
Respect and Kindness
2019-07-17
"I am a client of Javiers and I cannot stress how nice it is to have the ..."
J. T., Verified Customer

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • Community
  • Firm News
  • Work Injuries & Illnesses
  • Workers' Comp 101
  • Workers' Comp FAQs
  • Workplace Safety Tips

Recent Posts

  • Bob Wisniewski Nominated for 2021 WorkCompCentral Comp Laude® Award
  • Javier Grajeda Receives WILG’s 2021 Rising Star Award
  • Arizona Set to Increase Minimum Wage for the 5th Straight Year in 2022
  • DHS Ends Workplace Raiding Policy for Undocumented Workers
Common workplace accidents

Back Injury at Work Back Injury at Work

Shoulder Injury at Work Shoulder Injury at Work

Work-Related Car Accidents Work-Related Car Accidents

Electrical Accidents & Injuries Electrical Accidents & Injuries

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Slip, Trip & Fall Injury Slip, Trip & Fall Injury

Footer

DISCUSS YOUR CASE WITH AN EXPERIENCED WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAWYER TODAY

CALL: (602) 234-3700
TOLL FREE IN AZ: (800) 224-3220
FAX: (602) 230-7579

Law office locations

Phoenix

519 E Thomas Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Map and directions

Yuma

1455 W 16th St A2
Yuma, AZ 85364
Map and directions

    Get started with a free consultation

    Bilingual video consultations are available for your safety.


    Disclaimer: If you are not a current client of Law Offices of Robert E Wisniewski, PC, sending him or this site an email will not create an attorney/client relationship and the information you send may not be maintained as confidential. Please contact Mr. Wisniewski's office by telephone to arrange a consultation or complete a Consultation Intake Form. Viewing this website information also does not create an attorney/client relationship. This website is governed by the Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct.

    I have read the disclaimer. *
    Privacy Policy

    © 2022 Law Offices of Robert E. Wisniewski. All rights reserved. Disclaimer | Site Map | Law Firm Online Marketing by SEO Advantage, Inc.

    Part of the Enjuris Network

    • Facebook icon
    • Twitter icon
    • LinkedIn icon
    • Youtube icon