Workers’ compensation benefits are available to Arkansas employees who were injured on the job. However, obtaining Arkansas workers’ compensation benefits is not always as straightforward as filing a claim, as employers and their insurance companies routinely look for any way to avoid paying benefits. Below are some facts about the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation that all injured workers should know.
Work Injuries in Arkansas
According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Arkansas has one of the highest workplace injury rates in the country. In 2020, there were 30,000 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses. These accidents also resulted in 14,800 workers missing at least one day of work. That same year, 64 Arkansas workers died in fatal workplace accidents.
What Is the Workers’ Compensation System?
The workers’ compensation program is an insurance-based system that provides a safety net for employees who are hurt as a result of their job. Under state law, employers with three or more employees are required to purchase workers’ compensation insurance.
To qualify for workers’ compensation benefits in Arkansas, an injured worker must show that they suffered some type of injury, disability or illness that was somehow related to their employment. Most accidents that occur on the job fit within the workers’ compensation requirements.
The Arkansas workers’ compensation program is a no-fault system. This means that workers who are injured in an on-the-job accident can pursue a claim without needing to prove that someone else was responsible for the accident leading to their injuries.
Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Arkansas
There are two broad categories of benefits injured workers may qualify for under the Arkansas workers’ compensation system.
Medical Coverage Benefits
Medical coverage benefits pay for all of the necessary medical treatment an injured worker needs after a workplace accident. The amount of medical coverage benefits are based on the treatment needs of the individual worker.
Income Replacement Benefits
Income replacement benefits provide compensation to injured workers to make up for the income they would otherwise have made had they not been injured. This ensures that workers who are hurt on the job do not miss out on the income they couldn’t earn while they are recovering from their injuries, are disabled or otherwise unable to work. There are four types of income-replacement benefits available:
Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits
TPD benefits are paid to injured employees whose doctors permit them to work, with certain restrictions.
Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits
TTD benefits are ongoing payments made to workers who are unable to work due to a work injury, disability or illness.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits
PPD benefits are provided to workers who suffered permanent disability after a workplace accident or illness, but are still able to work in a limited capacity.
Permanent Total Disability (PTD) benefits
PTD benefits are available to workers who are unable to earn any meaningful income due to their work-related injury, illness or disability.
Employers Regularly Deny Workers’ Compensation Claims
Employers and their workers’ compensation insurance carriers have a financial incentive to deny workers’ compensation claims and often do so without fairly considering an injured worker’s claim. Thus, employees should never take the word of their employer or an insurance company regarding the compensability of their claim. Instead, consult with an experienced Arkansas workers’ compensation lawyer at the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, PA.
The Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A.
1025 E Don Tyson Pkwy
Springdale, AR 72764
(479) 361-3575