Workers Compensation in Arkansas
What would you do if a workplace injury left you unable to earn your paycheck? Medical bills, recovery costs, and lost wages can quickly spiral into a financial nightmare.
Thankfully, Arkansas supports workers’ compensation for injured employees. This program provides coverage for medical expenses, wage replacement, and even benefits for families in cases of workplace fatalities.
However, securing these benefits isn’t always simple. A missed deadline or incomplete form can jeopardize your claim and leave you struggling to make ends meet.
This guide explains the essentials of workers’ compensation, the steps you need to take after an injury, and why consulting an experienced attorney can help you protect your rights.
Workers Compensation Statistics in Arkansas?
Workplace injuries are a persistent challenge for Arkansas workers. In 2023, private-sector employers in the state reported approximately 22,400 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses, resulting in an incidence rate of 2.7 cases per 100 full-time employees—slightly higher than the national average of 2.4.
Certain industries in Arkansas see more injuries than others. The manufacturing sector, for example, reported an incidence rate of 3.5 cases per 100 workers, while the trade, transportation, and utilities sector recorded 3.1 cases per 100 employees. These industries often involve high-risk tasks, making workplace safety a significant concern.
How Does Workers Comp Work in Arkansas?
Arkansas’s workers’ compensation system offers essential protections to employees who suffer injuries or illnesses while performing job-related duties. To qualify for benefits, the injury must occur as a direct result of your work activities or conditions. For example, injuries caused by machinery on a job site are typically covered.
Arkansas law requires most employers with three or more employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This coverage provides access to several important benefits:
- Medical Coverage: Includes all necessary treatments, from doctor visits and diagnostic tests to surgeries and prescriptions.
- Wage Replacement: Provides compensation for lost income at two-thirds of your average weekly wage, subject to state-set maximums.
- Rehabilitation Services: Offers support for job retraining or vocational assistance if you cannot return to your previous position.
- Death Benefits: Delivers financial assistance to dependents if an employee dies from a workplace accident or illness.
Independent contractors, agricultural workers, and some casual employees may be excluded from coverage under Arkansas law. Employees should verify their eligibility with their employer or the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission (AWCC).
The steps you take immediately following a workplace incident in Arkansas are critical for filing a claim. Follow the following steps to preserve your rights and learn how workers comp works.
Get Medical Attention
After a workplace injury, seeking prompt medical care is one of the most important steps you can take. Immediate treatment not only safeguards your health but also provides the documentation you’ll need to file a successful workers’ compensation claim.
Even if your injury appears minor, a thorough evaluation by a licensed healthcare provider is critical. Certain conditions, such as repetitive strain injuries or exposure-related illnesses, may not show symptoms immediately but can worsen over time.
Arkansas law allows employers to designate the initial treating physician for workers’ compensation cases. After this first visit, however, employees may have the option to switch to a different doctor approved by the AWCC.
Keeping detailed medical records is essential. Documentation should include all treatments, prescriptions, and diagnostic tests, as these records will be pivotal in linking your injury to your job and supporting your claim.
File a First Report of Injury
After receiving medical care, the next step is to report your injury to your employer as soon as possible. Arkansas law requires that workers notify their employer within 30 days of the incident to remain eligible for benefits.
Your employer is then responsible for filing a Form AR-N (Employee’s Notice of Injury) with Arkansas Workers’ Compensation. This form provides essential details about the incident, such as the date, location, and type of injury, as well as the treatment received.
Once your employer files the report, their insurance carrier will begin investigating your claim. You may be contacted to provide additional information about the incident or clarify discrepancies. Ensure that all details you provide are consistent with your initial report to avoid delays or complications.
In Arkansas, the statute of limitations for filing a workers’ compensation claim is two years from the date of injury or one year from the last payment of benefits. Filing within these deadlines is critical to preserving your right to compensation.
The injured employee receives 66 ⅔ of their wage, and these payments are tax-free. The Arkansas Workers Compensation Commission stipulates there is a 7-day waiting period, and compensation begins on the 8th day of disability. The first 7 days will be retroactively paid if you are disabled for more than 14 days.
Why You Should Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
While the workers’ compensation process is designed to help employees, disputes often arise. Employers or insurance companies may question the cause of your injury, downplay its severity, or even deny your claim outright.
An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can advocate for your rights, ensuring you receive the benefits you deserve. A lawyer can:
- Help you complete and submit all necessary paperwork accurately and on time.
- Negotiate with insurance carriers to resolve disputes over medical treatment or wage replacement.
- Represent you in hearings before the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission.
- Fight to secure full compensation for your injuries and lost income.
Legal support is especially critical if your claim is denied or if you face challenges such as premature termination of benefits. A skilled attorney can guide you through the appeals process and help strengthen your case.
Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer in Arkansas
Your health and well-being need to come first. If you are hurt while working or find out an illness you are suffering is the result of your job, you will want to seek compensation.
We can connect you with a local attorney or one across Arkansas state lines.
Submit a request online or call us at (866) 345-6784 to find a workers’ compensation lawyer today!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
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