Most Arkansas workers who are cut, burned, scraped, or tore a piece of a body part while at work are aware of the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission (AWCC). The AWCC is responsible for ensuring injured workers receive their workers’ compensation benefits if they sustain serious, life-debilitating injuries at work.
However, AWCC recipients should understand what they’re entitled to. For instance:
- Your employer pays for workers’ compensation.
- If you are injured at work, you or a supervisor must report the accident immediately.
- Workers’ compensation pays for reasonably necessary medical care.
- Your employer or their compensation insurance carrier has the right to choose a physician to treat you.
- Workers’ compensation replaces part of your lost wages if you are off work for a specific time due to injuries.
Steps To Receive Fair Benefits and Medical Care
If you want to ensure that you receive your workers’ compensation benefits in time, there are specific steps you need to follow. The following steps include:
- The employer must report your injury to its workers’ compensation carrier. They must fill out a First Report of Injury or Illness to do that.
- You must see the physician chosen by the employer or your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier.
- You must cooperate fully with your employer and the insurance carrier while following the process to file for workers’ compensation benefits. If you do not follow the stated procedures, as explained to you, your benefits may be delayed, or they may cease.
- You must fill out all required forms wholly and promptly.
- You must attend all medical and other related appointments.
- You need to report any earnings you may receive after your injury to the workers’ compensation carrier.
- You must get approval from the insurance carrier before you start getting treatment. If you do not like the doctor you were assigned, ask for another one or write to the AWCC requesting a Change of Physician.
- If your doctor says you can return to work, you must do so.
- You must keep good records of your accident, the details, the diagnosis, treatment, outcome, rehabilitation, and all medical expense receipts.
- It is important to note that benefits and medical care may end if payment has not been made or treatment provided for a year.
Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Benefits
It is important to note that you need the insurance carrier’s approval before being treated. Remember that if you see a doctor without the insurance company’s approval, you may have to pay the bill. The doctor’s invoice is typically sent to the insurance carrier if you are approved for care. However, if you happen to be billed directly, send the invoice to the employer or the insurance carrier.
As an injured Arkansas employee, your primary focus should be your recovery. Although medical expenses can add up quickly, it’s essential to understand that you can seek compensation by hiring an experienced worker’s compensation attorney today. Some of the medical expenses that you may need to pay upfront after your injury includes:
- Medical supplies ordered by an approved doctor
- Crutches
- Braces
- Physical Therapy
- Surgery
- Hospital Expenses
- Prescription Drugs
- Visting an authorized health care practitioner
If you are injured while working and miss work, you may be eligible for cash benefits. There is a 7-day waiting period as directed by your doctor. Benefits start on the eighth day of total or partial disability. You are paid for the first seven days only if you are disabled for longer than 14 days.
AWCC Offers a Wide-Range of Services
The AWCC has 12 divisions providing a wide range of services. The divisions include:
- Adjudication Division
- Administrative Services Division
- Clerk of the Commission
- Information Technology Division
- Executive Officer Division
- Health and Safety Division
- Legal Advisor Division
- Medical Cost Containment Division
- Operations/Compliance Division
- Self-Insurance Division
- Special Funds Division
- Full Commission (Oversees all of those under it)
The most crucial information that most workers are interested in, other than finding out how and when to file a claim, is the weekly workers’ compensation rates for each year. The rates change yearly, so it is important to remember to look at the current year.
The 2023 rates are:
- Maximum Total Disability (TD) is $835.00.
- Maximum Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) is $626.00.
- For injury or death on and after January 2023, the maximum weekly benefits are based on 85 percent of the state average weekly wage (AWW) of $981.98
- TD workers can receive 2/3rds percent of their AWW, with a maximum of $835.00
- PPD workers if TD is $205.35 or more, the minimum is 75 percent, or $626.00. If TD is less than $205.35, PPD is 2/3rds of the AWW, to a maximum of $154.00.
- The PPD rate for the permanent total loss of use of a member or amputation is the same as the worker’s TD rate.
Contact the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield Today
Not sure you have a case? Don’t know how to file a workers’ compensation claim? Not sure you are getting the proper benefits? You are not alone. Reach out to the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield by calling 479-361-3575. Our dedicated team of workers’ compensation lawyers is here to help.
Call us today for a free initial consultation and find out what you can expect should you file a claim for workers’ compensation.
We know you have questions, and we can answer them for you. The Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield is just one quick call away: 479-361-3575.