Arkansas Workers' Compensation: Fast Facts

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Coverage Requirements Under Arkansas State Law

Any business with at least 3 employees must carry Arkansas workers' compensation insurance.

Work-Related Injury or Illness Reporting Requirements

Notify your supervisor immediately about your work-related injury or illness, preferably in writing. Your employer must then report it to the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission within 10 days of notification.

Where to Seek Medical Care

Your employer has the right to choose which doctor you see to treat your work injury or illness. If you see your own doctor without approval from your employer, you may have to pay those medical bills yourself. If you need emergency medical care, you're allowed to go to the closest ER, hospital, or clinic instead.

Waiting Period for Lost-Wage Benefits in Arkansas

Your first week off is always unpaid unless you're out of work for longer than 14 days after your incident. On the 15th missed day, you'll receive payment for that first week retroactively.

Arkansas Workers' Compensation Statute of Limitations

You must file your Arkansas workers' compensation claim no more than two years after your incident date to receive benefits.

Arkansas Weekly Compensation Rate

You can receive 66 2/3% of Arizona's established average weekly wage for the current calendar year in workers' compensation benefits. This figure changes every year and is subject to the state's minimum and maximum amount limits. You'll receive temporary total disability payments every other week until you can return to work again.

How Long You Can Receive Arkansas Workers' Comp Benefits

  • Medical benefits: unlimited
  • Death benefits: lump-sum payment of $6,000 for funeral and burial expenses
  • Temporary Total Disability (TTD): 450 weeks
  • Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): 450 weeks
  • Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): 450 weeks
  • Permanent Total Disability (PTD): 260 weeks

Arkansas Workers' Comp Coverage Exemptions

The following employees are automatically exempt from workers' compensation insurance coverage under Arkansas state law:

  • Agricultural farm laborers
  • Casual employees
  • Domestic workers
  • Federal workers
  • Independent contractors
  • Maritime employees
  • Nonprofit organization employees
  • Prison inmates
  • Railroad workers
  • Workers employed by religious, charitable, or relief organizations

Arkansas Workers' Compensation Attorney Fees

Arkansas workers' comp attorneys cannot charge more than 25% of your final settlement award in legal fees. However, if your case doesn't win, you'll pay your attorney $0 under state law.