Free Consultation: (602) 540-6366Tap to Call This Lawyer
Joel Friedman

Joel Friedman

I can help with your work injury claim _ no cost consultation, flexible fees
  • Workers' Compensation
  • Arizona
Review This Lawyer
Badges
Claimed Lawyer ProfileOffers Video ConferencingQ&ASocial MediaResponsive Law
Biography

Joel F Friedman has been representing injured workers in claims for Arizona workers' compensation benefits for about 35 years, and he was certified as a specialist in workers' compensation law from October 1993 - February 2021. He continues to specialize in work injuries; he accepts complex 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, State Bar of Arizona, Arizona Trial Lawyers (Arizona Association for Justice), and private organizers, conferences on a variety of subjects, including psychological - neuropsychological evaluations, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), cardiac and cardiovascular disorders, and Medicare benefits. Joel hikes the Arizona deserts, travels where the wind takes him (currently working with small organizations and starting an Arizona non-profit corporation to support women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo), and in a past life was a licensed soccer referee

Practice Area
Workers' Compensation
Additional Practice Area
  • Medicare Set Aside (MSA) trusts
Video Conferencing
  • Google Meet
  • Zoom
  • RingCentral
  • WhatsApp
Fees
  • 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.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Arizona
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
9th Circuit
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
U.S. Supreme Court
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
US District Court - Arizona
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
Languages
  • Spanish: Written
Professional Experience
ATTORNEY
JOEL F FRIEDMAN, PLLC
- Current
New law office after 28 years with firm of Jerome, Gibson, Stewart
Director, Arizona Workers' Compensation Division
Cruz & Associates, PC
-
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
-
Education
Villanova University School of Law
J.D.
-
Villanova University School of Law Logo
Franklin & Marshall College
B.A. | Business Management
-
Activities: Chi Phi Fraternity 1974 - 1977 Men's Soccer 1973 - 1974
Placeholder image for education.
State University of New York - College at New Paltz
Literature
-
Placeholder image for education.
Awards
Outstanding New Attorney Volunteer
Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
For contributions to offering pro bono legal services to the Valley's homeless community
Professional Associations
Arizona State Bar
Member
Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Arizona Association for Justice (Arizona Trial Lawyers)
Member
- Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR)
Member
-
Activities: Council of Past Presidents 2002 - present President 2001 - 2002 Advocacy Committee Chair
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Certifications
Certified specialist in workers' compensation law
State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization
Websites & Blogs
Website
Legal Answers
89 Questions Answered
Q. My job, im working two different departments and the other department gets paid more than i, is this legal?
A: This is not a workers' compensation case. It seems you are being paid at the lower rate for one of the two departments where you are assigned, even for work you do in the department in which other employees are being paid a higher rate. That is an employment law question and I would suggest that you go back and post your question in the correct legal field. You can also contact the Industrial Commission of Arizona Labor Department https://www.azica.gov/labor-department, or United States Department of Labor Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Q. Do we need a workman comp attorney?
A: First, I am sorry to hear about your father and hopefully he will recover. Second, you have a choice of filing a workers' compensation (WC) claim in either New Mexico or Arizona, and I do not know the difference between benefits available for the two states because my practice is only in Arizona. It seems Arizona would be better logistically because it's easier for whoever is going to be managing the claim for your father to be in the same state where he lives and where he will presumably continue getting medical care. The charges for treatment in New Mexico and taxes will [should] be covered regardless of where the WC claim is filed. The insurance company, and it's not clear if that was for a New Mexico or Arizona claim, is correct that a guardian ad litem needs to be appointed as quickly as possible. That can be done through the Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA), either online or someone can go in person to the Commission office at 800 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007. There is a claims desk in the back of the building on the first floor, and they can help with the application. I will try to put the link to the application here, but I'm not sure if the app will allow it and if it doesn't go through, the main website is AZICA.GoV.

https://azica.my.salesforce-sites.com/forms/WebformGuardianIncapacitated_VF

You also need to make sure a claim actually has been filed, and you can find that out by contacting the ICA at 602-542-4661, although without legal authority they may be reluctant to provide that information. The main question, again, is if and where a claim has already been filed and, if not, if it's better in New Mexico or Arizona. WC attorneys in Arizona generally charge a percentage of benefits eventually paid to or for the injured worker, and you should check with different attorneys-law firms to find out what that percentage will be and their experience with this type of catastrophic claim.
... Read More
Q. Arizona is a right to work state but how far does that extend can anything be done to protect my dad’s job
A: Your question hopefully will be answered by an employment law attorney, because it is not a workers' compensation issue unless your father's hip problems are the result of a work injury (accident or repetitive activities). I am not an employment lawyer but I generally tell my work injury clients to contact their employer's HR department immediately and, if the employer is not a small company (I believe less than 50 employees total in a 75 mile radius), to ask ask to file for unpaid leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It's my understanding both of those programs can qualify him for time off from work and give him some protections to keep his job if and when he is able to go back. His employer should have told him about that already if he has not already used up those options. He will need a medical certification to qualify for either FMLA or ADA leave. ... Read More
View More Answers
Social Media
Contact & Map
Joel F Friedman, Esq
P.O. Box 10037
Phoenix, AZ 85064
Cell: (602) 540-6366
Fax: (602) 777-3599
Monday: 8:30 AM - 6 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 6 PM (Today)
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 6 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 6 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM - 6 PM
Saturday: 10 AM - 4 PM
Sunday: Closed
Notice: I am available by telephone and email weekdays and most Saturdays. I answer calls and reply when I am not already on a project or in court. I prefer email or text messages to voice mail