Worker’s Compensation covers injuries that occur due to an accident or physical damage caused by repeated exposure to a unhealthy environment.

 

When injured, there are many resources provided to help you recover and return to the work force.  Workers' Compensation aids with medical bills, physical therapy, visiting nurses and medical supplies. You may also be eligible for non-medical assistance from a home care agency to help with transportation to doctor’s appointments, bathing, after surgery care, housecleaning and other daily chores.

 

Some examples for accidental injuries on the job:

• Being cut or crushed by machinery

• Hurting your back in a fall

• Injured in a car accident while making deliveries

• Chemical burns

 

Examples:

1. If you suffer a severe spinal injury due to a fall, you may be confined to a wheelchair, require surgery and be unable to drive or shower yourself. Workers' Comp would help with medical bills, provide the wheelchair, physical therapy and visiting nurses. You could also receive daily assistance from a caregiver to take care of shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry and your personal hygiene.

2. If you have a crush injury to your arm and shoulder you would be dealing with multiple surgeries, pain, restricted mobility and limits on caring for yourself. Workers' Comp ensures you receive the medical care you need and can provide a caregiver to assist you in your home during recovery. An experienced home care agency will have caregivers knowledgeable with after-surgery care who work in tandem with your medical team to speed your recovery.

3. In the event of an accident resulting in brain trauma, you could need surgery, physical therapy and suffer long-term memory or brain impairment. Workers' Comp would provide peace of mind for you and your family by providing the medical care and therapy you need and you could have a personal care attendant from a home care agency assist you with bathing, dressing, after surgery and memory care.

 

ARKANSAS WORKERS' COMPENSATION

• Program administrator: Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission

• Employers required to provide coverage: Businesses with three or more employees, with a few exceptions.

• Medical benefits: Employer must cover all reasonably necessary medical care. However, they have the right to designate the initial provider and your claim can get denied if you seek non-emergency treatment without notice.

• Temporary total disability benefits: Equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage, subject to the state’s maximum. For 2019, the TD maximum is $695. Payments are made every other week for as long as you are unable to work. Benefits are not paid out on the first seven days of disability, beginning the day after it occurs, unless you are out of work for 14 calendar days or more. In that case, back pay is issued.

• Temporary partial disability benefits: Equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage minus what you are making on light duty, subject to the state’s maximum.

• Permanent partial disability benefits: Varies by amount of wages and number of weeks, depending on the severity of your injury. The PPD rate for amputation or permanent total loss of use of a member is the same as your TD rate, subject to the state maximum. For 2019, the PPD maximum is $521 per week.

• Permanent total disability benefits: Equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage, subject to the state’s weekly maximum. Arkansas also caps PTD benefits. As of 2019, maximum compensation equals $225,875.

• Other notable coverage: Spouses, children and other dependents are eligible to receive weekly benefits in the event an employee’s work-related death. The amount and length of payments vary, depending on their relationship to the deceased. The program pays up to $6,000 in funeral expenses.

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For more information, please visit the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission's website at http://www.awcc.state.ar.us/.