Arizona Revised Statutes (Last Updated: March 31, 2016) |
Title 23. Labor |
Chapter 6. WORKERS' COMPENSATION |
Article 3. Orders and Hearings |
Sec 23-941.01. Final settlement agreement; definition
-
A. Any final settlement agreement involving a workers' compensation claim is not valid and enforceable until the final settlement agreement is approved by the commission.
B. Subject to the following requirements, the parties may enter into a final settlement and release of a claim for undisputed entitlement to supportive medical maintenance benefits after the period of temporary disability is terminated by a final notice of claim status or award of the commission. The carrier or employer shall submit a summary of all reasonably anticipated future supportive medical maintenance benefits and the projected cost of the benefits for review by the employee. The summary shall also be included with the final settlement agreement filed with the commission. All medical conditions subject to the final settlement agreement must be described in the final settlement agreement. The final settlement provisions defined in this subsection shall only apply to future supportive medical maintenance benefits for the described condition.
C. The employer or carrier shall inform the attending physician of the approval of a final settlement agreement if the final settlement agreement terminates the employee's entitlement to supportive medical maintenance benefits. Unless supportive medical maintenance benefits rendered prior to the date of the final settlement are subject to a dispute or payment for the treatment was included in the final settlement agreement, the employer or carrier shall remain responsible for payment for the treatment not covered by the final settlement agreement as provided by this chapter.
D. For the purposes of this section, "final settlement" means a settlement in which the injured worker waives any future entitlement to supportive medical maintenance benefits for known conditions described in the agreement.