You might not realize that in Arkansas, your employer is legally required to provide workers’ compensation coverage if they have three or more employees, offering you medical care, wage replacement, and even death benefits if you’re injured on the job. This system covers a wide range of injuries, including illnesses caused by workplace conditions, but accessing these benefits hinges on following strict rules for reporting injuries and medical treatment. Understanding these details is essential before you ever face a workplace injury.
Key Takeaways
- Arkansas requires workers’ compensation insurance for employers with three or more employees, covering medical and wage loss benefits from work-related injuries.
- Workers’ compensation covers medical expenses such as doctor visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription drugs related to workplace injuries or illnesses[BACKGROUND].
- Wage loss benefits provide injured employees about 66⅔% of their average weekly wage after a seven-day waiting period, including temporary or permanent disability payments[BACKGROUND].
- Death benefits for dependents include burial expenses and weekly compensation based on the deceased worker’s wages, with claims required within two years of death[BACKGROUND].
- Employers must promptly report workplace injuries to their insurance carrier using a First Report of Injury and post notice of workers’ compensation rights visibly at the workplace.
Arkansas Workers Compensation Insurance Requirements
What’re the precise workers’ compensation insurance requirements in Arkansas?
If you have three or more employees, you’re required to carry workers’ compensation coverage**** through a licensed workers compensation carrier in Arkansas.
This coverage must include all types of workplace injury costs, and you can’t require employees to pay for it.
You must provide proof of workers’ compensation coverage**** via a certificate of insurance, and post it visibly at your workplace.
If an injury occurs, you have the obligation to promptly report the injury.
Exemptions include agricultural labor, domestic help, non-profits, and federally covered railroad and maritime workers.
Failure to comply can lead to penalties and loss of coverage protection.
Types of Injuries Covered by Workers Compensation
Although workers’ compensation primarily covers injuries caused by a specific accident during employment, Arkansas also recognizes injuries from rapid repetitive motion and occupational illnesses when work is the major cause.
Under the Arkansas workers compensation system, you’re protected for work-related injury or illness, including cuts, fractures, repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, and diseases from chemical exposure or allergens.
This means your workers’ compensation insurance covers a wide range of medical care and benefits. Fatal injuries also qualify for death benefits, ensuring comprehensive coverage regardless of injury type or severity.
Medical Benefits Provided Under Arkansas Workers Compensation
You’re entitled to necessary medical services under Arkansas Workers’ Compensation, including doctor visits, surgeries, physical therapy, prescription drugs, and medical supplies ordered by the designated physician.
Before treatment begins, the care must be authorized through your employer’s insurance carrier via the First Report of Injury.
Your medical benefits will continue as long as your recovery requires, provided the required care and payments are consistently given.
Covered Medical Services
Any medical care necessary for treating work-related injuries or illnesses is covered under Arkansas workers’ compensation benefits.
Covered medical services include visits to healthcare providers, surgeries, hospital care, physical therapy, prescription medications, and medical supplies ordered by an approved physician.
You must obtain approval from your employer’s workers’ compensation carrier before seeking treatment to guarantee workers’ compensation coverage of medical expenses.
Once treatment is approved, physicians directly bill the insurance carrier, so you won’t be responsible for bills related to approved treatment.
Timely treatment and payment are essential, as benefits may cease after twelve months without care or payments.
Treatment Authorization Process
Before receiving medical treatment under Arkansas workers’ compensation, you must secure approval from your employer’s insurance carrier. This *treatment authorization* process protects you as an injured worker by ensuring your *medical expenses* are covered under the *workers’ compensation insurance* policy.
Your employer has the right to choose your treating physician, and any change requires following specific procedures with carrier approval. *Necessary medical care* includes doctor visits, surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, and approved prescriptions.
Without prior *approval*, you risk paying out-of-pocket. If authorized, bills should be directed to your employer or their insurer to cover *compensation* for your treatment.
Disability and Wage Loss Benefits for Injured Employees
Wage loss benefits in Arkansas provide injured employees with two-thirds of their average weekly wages while they recover from work-related injuries or illnesses. You must wait seven calendar days before wage loss benefits begin, and payments cover this waiting period only if your disability lasts longer than 14 days. Disability benefits include temporary total disability, paid while you’re unable to work, and permanent disability, assessed by a physician based on your impairment and future earning capacity. These benefits support you financially and help you return to work or retrain.
| Benefit Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Wage Loss Benefits | 66⅔% of average weekly wages after 7-day waiting period |
| Temporary Total Disability | Paid while unable to work during recovery |
| Permanent Disability | Assessed by physician based on impairment rating |
Reporting Workplace Injuries and Filing Claims
Because reporting injuries promptly is vital, you should notify your supervisor as soon as you experience a workplace injury to guarantee your claim is filed without delay.
As a worker, you must report any injury so your employer can submit the First Report of Injury to the workers’ compensation insurance carrier. This initiates your workers’ compensation claim, helping cover medical expenses and wage loss.
Employers must post injury reporting instructions to guide you through the process. Filing your claim timely—within two years of injury or death—is important, as failing to report or file properly risks penalties and loss of protection.
Employer and Employee Responsibilities in Workers Compensation
While employers in Arkansas must carry workers’ compensation insurance and select the treating physician for injuries, you as an employee must promptly report any workplace injury to your employer and seek care only from the approved medical provider to secure coverage.
Your employer must report your injury to the workers’ compensation insurance carrier to start the claim process. As an injured employee, you don’t pay medical expenses for authorized treatment, protecting your legal rights.
If complications arise, consult a workers compensation attorney to ascertain your claim is handled correctly and your rights are upheld. You must also file a workers’ compensation claim timely.
Doctor Selection and Medical Treatment Under Workers Compensation
Your employer has the authority to select the initial treating physician if you get injured at work. You must see this employer-approved doctor for medical treatment under workers’ compensation insurance.
Any treatment outside this selection requires prior treatment authorization from the insurance carrier to guarantee coverage. If you’re dissatisfied with the assigned doctor, you can request a change of physician but must follow proper procedures to maintain your medical expenses coverage.
All work-related medical expenses, including surgeries, hospital visits, and rehabilitation, are billed directly to your employer or their insurance carrier, so you won’t owe doctor bills for approved treatments.
Permanent Disability and Compensation Determination
When you suffer a work injury that results in permanent disability in Arkansas, the benefits you receive are based on a physician’s impairment rating, which measures the lasting impact on your ability to work.
Permanent disability benefits are calculated at two-thirds of your average weekly wage, subject to statutory maximums, with distinctions made between total or partial disability.
Your permanent impairment rating influences the extent of compensation, and workers compensation cases consider how your disability affects earning capacity.
You have the right to dispute your impairment rating or benefits, making legal assistance valuable when maneuvering workers’ compensation benefits.
Death Benefits and Survivor Compensation
Because an employee dies due to a work-related injury in Arkansas, their surviving dependents qualify for death benefits under the state’s workers’ compensation system.
These benefits provide essential financial support, covering burial expenses up to a state-set maximum and offering a weekly compensation benefit to eligible survivors. The amount is typically based on a percentage of the deceased’s average weekly wage, capped according to state limits.
To receive these benefits, claims for death benefits**** must be filed within two years of the employee’s death, with proof of dependency.
Importantly, employers are responsible for paying these benefits and face penalties if they fail to comply.
Legal Assistance and Resources for Workers Compensation Cases
Legal assistance often plays a key role in managing Arkansas workers’ compensation claims, especially given the complexity and strict deadlines involved.
The Arkansas Workers Compensation Commission offers a Legal Advisor Division to help injured workers via 1-800-250-2511. Consulting a private attorney experienced in workers compensation cases is advisable, especially for serious injuries or third-party claims.
The Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield provides free consultations at multiple Northwest Arkansas locations. Filing claims timely—within two years of injury or death—is critical to securing your workers compensation benefits.
- Legal assistance eases the complex claims process
- Arkansas Workers Compensation Commission offers direct legal advice
- Free consultations available for injured workers at local law offices
- Self-representation is possible but limited to less serious injuries
- Timely filing within prescribed deadlines protects your benefits rights
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does Workers’ Compensation Work in Arkansas?
You start the claims process by promptly reporting your injury to your employer, who files it with their insurer. Medical benefits cover approved treatments, while wage loss pays two-thirds of your average weekly wage after seven days. Employers must maintain coverage and fulfill reporting duties. Benefit calculations follow state formulas. You can seek legal representation to resolve common disputes like claim denials or benefit delays.
How Much Is Workers Comp Payout in Arkansas?
Workers comp calculations in Arkansas provide wage loss replacement at two-thirds of your average weekly wage, capped at about $1,000 weekly. Temporary benefits start after seven days and last through recovery. Permanent disability compensation ranges from 50% to 75% of wages based on impairment. Medical expense coverage is unlimited if pre-approved. Injury types covered include temporary total disability and permanent partial disability. The filing claims process requires timely submission to initiate benefits. Average payout amounts depend on injury severity and impairment rating.
What Are the Three Main Requirements to Obtain Workers’ Compensation?
The three main requirements to obtain workers’ compensation are: you must meet the *eligibility criteria* as a classified employee (not an independent contractor), your injury must be a *covered injury* directly related to your job, and you must follow the *claim process* including strict *reporting deadlines* to your employer and insurance provider. Legal representation can assist, but timely reporting and proof of employment status are essential to qualify.
What Not to Say to Workmans Comp?
Don’t admit fault, minimize injury severity, or discuss unrelated medical history to avoid Claim Denial Reasons. Respect Claim Reporting Timelines, avoid Medical Treatment Issues, know your Employer Responsibilities, assert Injured Worker Rights, and seek Legal Representation Importance before Settlement Negotiation.
Conclusion
You might think Arkansas workers’ compensation benefits cover every medical expense and doctor you choose, but that’s not always the case. The system covers medically necessary care and pays about 66⅔% of your lost wages, but your employer typically selects your treating physician, limiting your options to one doctor change. Understanding these rules and filing claims promptly is key to accessing your full benefits and protecting your rights in case of injury or death at work.