Joel Friedman

Joel F Friedman has been representing injured workers in claims for Arizona workers' compensation benefits for about 30 years, and he has been certified as a specialist in workers' compensation law since October 1993. Joel accepts complex work injury cases other lawyers often won't take (like work stress, carpal tunnel syndrome, and gradual - repetitive work injuries), and he has been a frequent speaker at national Social Security and State Bar of Arizona conferences on a variety of subjects, including psychological - neuropsychological evaluations, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), cardiac and cardiovascular disorders, and Medicare benefits. He hikes the Arizona deserts and in a past life was a licensed soccer referee

Workers' Compensation

• Medicare Set Aside (MSA) trusts

• Google Hangouts

• Free Consultation
  I am available to review medical and case documents, at no charge, to decide what services I may be able to offer, and what fees would be charged. I will then schedule a telephone or in-person meeting to review your case
• Contingent Fees
  I am able to take most Arizona work injury claims on contingencies, so there is no charge for my time until and unless there is a recovery. Legal and case expenses must be reimbursed regardless of the result, pursuant to the Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct. Medicare Set Aside (MSA) case contracts depend on the specifics
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Fees are dependent on the specific nature of your case, and where you are in the process. I may be able to offer discounted fees to police and fire department employees, union workers, and veterans applying for Arizona work injury.

Arizona

9th Circuit

U.S. Supreme Court

US District Court - Arizona

ATTORNEY

JOEL F FRIEDMAN, PLLC

2011 - Current

New law office after 28 years with firm of Jerome, Gibson, Stewart

Director, Arizona Workers' Compensation Division

Cruz & Associates, PC

2016 - 2019

I managed the work injury section of the Phoenix Cruz office. I supervised an associate attorney and 3 paralegals, including for administrative claims and court cases at the Industrial Commission of Arizona

Attorney-shareholder

Jerome, Gibson, Stewart, Friedman, Stevenson, Engle, & Runbeck, PC

1982 - 2011

Villanova University School of Law

J.D.

1979 - 1982

Franklin & Marshall College

B.A. | Business Management

1973 - 1977

Activities: Chi Phi Fraternity 1974 - 1977 Men's Soccer 1973 - 1974

State University of New York - College at New Paltz

Literature

1977 - 1979

Arizona State Bar

Member

Current

Arizona Association for Justice (Arizona Trial Lawyers)

Member

2006 - Current

National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR)

Member

1985 - 2014

Activities: Council of Past Presidents 2002 - present President 2001 - 2002 Advocacy Committee Chair

Certified specialist in workers' compensation law

State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization

1993

Q. I’m a teacher, and the administration gave out my number to a student without my permission. What should I do?

3 May 2021

A: My practice is limited work injury cases, a specific part of employment law. Your concern appears to be an issue of employment privacy and it is not something I am able to provide advice. I suggest you look for an attorney whose practice is more directly employment law, if you do not hear back here. You can contact me directly and I may be able to send you a referral, but no guarantee.

Q. I was denied sick time because I need to be scheduled on the day I was sick. Is that right?

9 September 2020

A: This is not a workers' compensation issue, it's related to your employment. You will need to find an attorney who accepts employment benefits cases and, in the meantime, you may want to ask your employer for a copy of any employee handbook or manual that has information about your leave benefits and rights.

Q. If I am on workers comp, and my current employer cannot work with my work restrictions,what is the issue for new job?

21 July 2020

A: Good afternoon and thank you for your question. You are entitled to disability payments anytime you are off work, whether it is for the company where you were injured or another employer after that. You should notify the insurance company and you should be given a form to fill out whether you are on light duty or full work status. Your payments will be approximately every 30 days depending on the insurance carrier. Please feel free to contact me directly at 602-540-6366 or at joel@compinaz.com. Thank you

View More Answers ›