Glossary of Workers' Compensation Law Terms

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Legal Glossaries Index

Accepted claim: A claim in which the insurance company accepts that your injury or illness will be covered by workers' compensation. 

Agreed medical evaluator (AME): This is the physician that is agreed to by your attorney and insurance company. The AME will be the one to conduct your medical evaluations. 

Alternative work: If your doctor says you will not be able to return to your job because of your injury, your employer is encouraged to offer you alternative work instead of your regular work duties. There are requirements to this alternative work, such as meeting your work restrictions, that vary by state. 

American Medical Association (AMA): National physician’s group. The AMA has published the permanent impairment guidelines. 

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): A federal law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. 

AOE/COE (Arising out of and occurring in the course of employment): Injury caused by and happened while on the job. 

Appeals board: A group of seven commissioners appointed by the governor to review and reconsider decisions of workers’ compensation administrative law judges. 

Applicants' attorney: A lawyer that can represent the injured worker in a workers' compensation case. 

Apportionment: A way of figuring out how much of your permanent disability is due to your work injury and how much is due to other disabilities.