If you suffered on-the-job injuries at your Texarkana, Arkansas, workplace, you likely qualify for workers’ compensation coverage. These benefits will pay for your medical care and cover your bills until you return to work or qualify for long-term disability through another program. Workers’ compensation insurance is often vital for injured employees who must miss work.
If you experience trouble getting approved for benefits, a Texarkana workers’ compensation attorney from the Morris Bart law firm may be able to help. We provide free consultations for injured workers who received a denial or encountered other issues filing their workers’ compensation claim.
Understanding Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Law
You may qualify for workers’ compensation in Texarkana if you recently:
- Suffered an injury at work
- Received a diagnosis of a work-related chronic-use injury
- Have an occupational illness
However, your situation might leave you wondering how Arkansas workers’ compensation law works. We’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions.
Who Qualifies for Workers’ Compensation Coverage in Arkansas?
Under Ark. Code Ann. § 11-9-102, most employers must provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage for their employees. This requirement includes all businesses with three or more workers, with a few exceptions based on industry. Other programs generally cover these industries.
Workers’ compensation coverage must be available from an employee’s first day on the job. This obligation applies to all seasonal, part-time, and occasional workers, in addition to full-time and salaried positions.
What Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Available?
The Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Act outlines what workers’ compensation insurance coverage must include:
- All necessary and related medical care costs
- Wage loss benefits—usually partial or total disability benefits—that generally pay out about two-thirds of the worker’s usual pay up to the policy limit
- Vocational training and other benefits for those who need help returning to work
- Death benefits, including reasonable funeral and burial costs, for family members of a worker who dies from their injuries or illness
How Long do I Have to Wait to Get Wage Loss Benefits?
Ark. Code Ann. § 11-9-501 creates a seven-day waiting period for lost wage benefits in Arkansas. Because the waiting period does not include the incident date, you will begin receiving benefits on your ninth day away from work. If you miss at least 14 days, you will receive compensation to cover the first seven days out.
For a free legal consultation with a Workers’ Compensation lawyer serving Texarkana, call (870) 330-4155
Building a Case for Texarkana Workers’ Compensation Benefits
According to the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission, you must work closely with your employer to file your “First Report of Injury or Illness” with the workers’ compensation insurer and begin the benefits process. However, if your employer refuses, the insurer denies your claim, or you have other issues, you might need help to get the benefits you need and deserve after an on-the-job injury.
You have options for motivating your employer to cooperate, appealing a denial, or taking other steps following a dispute over your benefits. It may be possible to get your benefits started if you are still out of work or a one-time cash payment if you have healed from your injuries. However, you should not have to shoulder this burden alone, especially when you were hurt working for your company.
Our workers’ compensation lawyers at the Morris Bart law firm are familiar with this process and how these benefits work in Arkansas. We could help you complete the necessary paperwork, present evidence, and seek the money you need to pay bills and cover some of your lost wages.
Can I Sue If I Cannot Get Benefits?
While it is unlikely you can sue your employer, some workers can recover additional financial support by filing a separate insurance claim or injury lawsuit against a liable third party. Either may be possible regardless of the outcome of your workers’ compensation claim.
For example, suppose your injuries occurred at work when a vendor dropped items from a forklift during a delivery. The vendor operating the machinery and their employer might be legally responsible for your injuries. As a result, you might recover damages, including pain and suffering losses not recoverable through workers’ compensation.
The Morris Bart law firm provides consultations to learn more about your case. In addition, if you qualify for this type of compensation, you could have up to three years to begin your lawsuit under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105.
Click to contact our Texarkana Personal Injury Attorneys today
Morris Bart, LLC, Helps Injured Workers Get Justice
At the Morris Bart law office in Texarkana, our team protects workers’ rights and fights to get them the care and financial benefits they need following a workplace accident, exposure, or injury. In 2019, we helped over 6,500 clients obtain justice, and our 40-plus years of experience are essential in recovering fair and appropriate compensation for them.
Recent case results in workers’ compensation cases include:
- $640,000 for a worker who suffered cervical and lumbar injuries and lives with hip tendinosis and chronic headaches
- $300,000 for a worker who had medical bills and lost wages because of aggravated degenerative disc disease in their lower back
Our attorneys work on a contingency-fee basis. We do not charge upfront fees, ask for a retainer, or calculate hourly charges. Instead, we use our resources and knowledge to build a compelling case and get paid attorney’s fees only if we win—and then, just from a portion of the compensation, we recover for you.
Talk With a Lawyer from Morris Bart About Your Options Today
Did you suffer injuries in a workplace accident in Texarkana and now face trouble getting workers’ compensation or other benefits? In that case, you could contact our team at the Morris Bart law office today. We provide free consultations and will review your rights with you. If we work together, we can help you get the money you need and deserve.
Call (870) 330-4155 today to speak with a lawyer about your case for free.
Questions?Call (870) 330-4155
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
