No-one goes to work expecting to be injured or become ill as a result of the job they do. If this does happen, it is probable that your employer will be expected to pay an amount in workers’ compensation. Most, but not all, employers in Arkansas will be required to take out coverage in the event of an unforeseen accident or illness occurring at their place of employment. Workers’ compensation can help to pay for medical expenses as a result of any injury or illness together with a portion of any earnings that are lost if you are unable to return to work. Employment in Arkansas Only 5 categories of occupation employ more than 100,000 workers in Arkansas. In 2015, according to U.S. Bureau of Statistics data, there were 1,176,130 people engaged in some kind of employment across the state. That includes part time as well as full time employees. As in many other states, the most common type of employment was office work. This category includes people who are employed in administrative support. Nearly 15% of people employed in Arkansas were working as office workers in 2015. The four other categories of employment that had more than 100,000 employees each were: Sales and related occupations Production occupations (e.g. manufacturing) Transportation and movement of materials Food preparation and serving related occupations According to the database, the mean hourly wage in Arkansas in 2015 was $18.53, while the mean annual earnings were $38,540. Arkansas Workers Compensation Commission Requirements for Employers Where employers in Arkansas are required by law to take out workers’ compensation insurance to cover their employees if they are injured or become ill while at work, they cannot deduct any of these payments from their employees’ earnings. It is the responsibility of the employer alone to arrange the correct insurance, usually with a private carrier. The majority of employers who employ more than 3 employees in Arkansas are required to have insurance. However, just because an individual employer employs less than three may not exempt them from insurance cover. Employers should contact the Arkansas Workers Compensation Commission (AWCC) with details to see if they are genuinely exempt or not. Ignorance of liability is not a valid argument in case of denying compensation. Penalties apply to any employer that does not have the relevant insurance cover. Additional Requirements in Arkansas Any employee who is injured or becomes ill while at work and is intending filing for worker’s compensation must do so within 2 years of the injury or illness or within 2 years of the latter being discovered. Employers that are required to provide workers’ compensation insurance must notify their employees about the process involved. One requirement is a Form P poster displayed clearly in the workplace which provides details about the process of filing a claim. Employers that fail to display such a poster may lose their coverage and be forced to pay for any compensation themselves and not out of insurance. Denied Workers' Comp Benefits? Speak to an Attorney! Even if you are working for an employer who has taken out workers’ compensation insurance as required by Arkansas law, sometimes things don’t work out the way they should. If you encounter any obstacles in the path of your claim or you think that your compensation payment is unsatisfactory, it is best to contact a workers’ comp. attorney who can advise you of your rights and negotiate with your employer's insurance company on your behalf.
