Filing a Workers' Comp Claim in Arkansas
The deadlines to report a work injury and file a claim in Arkansas, how to file, and how to appeal a denial.
Short answer: Report a work-related accident to your employer or supervisor as soon as it happens. The Commission advises giving the employer written notice of the time, place and nature of the injury. Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission, Basic Facts; Questions & Answers brochure
| Deadline to report the injury | Report a work-related accident to your employer or supervisor as soon as it happens. The Commission advises giving the employer written notice of the time, place and nature of the injury. No fixed number of days is stated in the Commission's guidance. |
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| Deadline to file a claim | A claim for compensation (Form AR-C) must be filed with the Commission within two years from the date of injury or death, or within one year from the date of the last payment of compensation, whichever is later. |
| How to file | Workers usually do not need to apply to the Commission: the employer reports the injury to its insurer and files the First Report of Injury (Form 1), and benefits should start automatically. If benefits are denied or not paid, contact the Commission's Legal Advisor Division (1-800-250-2511), which can arrange a preliminary conference or mediation. If the problem is not resolved, file WCC Form AR-C, Claim for Compensation, with the Commission. Forms: https://labor.arkansas.gov/workers-comp/awcc-forms/ |
| Appealing a denial | After a claim (Form AR-C) is filed, disputes not resolved by a Legal Advisor's preliminary conference or mediation are assigned, on request, to a Commission Administrative Law Judge for a hearing. Either party may hire an attorney; attorney fees must be approved by the Commission, and in contested cases half the fee is paid by the employer or insurer. Decisions of an Administrative Law Judge can be appealed to the Full Commission. |
| Filing or checking a claim online | In Arkansas you do not need to apply for benefits with the Workers' Compensation Commission: report the injury to your employer or supervisor immediately (in writing, with the time, place and nature of the injury), and the employer or insurer provides medical care and disability payments and files the required reports with the Commission. If you think you have not received all benefits due, Commission Legal Advisors can advise you and arrange a preliminary conference or mediation. If the problem is not resolved, file WCC Form AR-C, Claim for Compensation, with the Commission (P.O. Box 950, Little Rock, AR 72203-0950) within two years from the date of injury or one year from the last payment of compensation. Commission home and forms: https://www.labor.arkansas.gov/workers-comp/ |
Where to get help in Arkansas
More Arkansas workers' compensation
- How Much Workers' Comp Pays in Arkansas
- Workers' Comp Settlements in Arkansas
- Retaliation for Filing Workers' Comp in Arkansas
- Suing Over a Work Injury in Arkansas
- Appealing a Denied Workers' Comp Claim in Arkansas
- All Arkansas workers' compensation rules
FAQ
How long do you have to report a work injury in Arkansas?
Report a work-related accident to your employer or supervisor as soon as it happens. The Commission advises giving the employer written notice of the time, place and nature of the injury. No fixed number of days is stated in the Commission's guidance.
What is the deadline to file a workers' comp claim in Arkansas?
A claim for compensation (Form AR-C) must be filed with the Commission within two years from the date of injury or death, or within one year from the date of the last payment of compensation, whichever is later.
How do you file a workers' comp claim in Arkansas?
Workers usually do not need to apply to the Commission: the employer reports the injury to its insurer and files the First Report of Injury (Form 1), and benefits should start automatically. If benefits are denied or not paid, contact the Commission's Legal Advisor Division (1-800-250-2511), which can arrange a preliminary conference or mediation. If the problem is not resolved, file WCC Form AR-C, Claim for Compensation, with the Commission.
How do you appeal a denied workers' comp claim in Arkansas?
After a claim (Form AR-C) is filed, disputes not resolved by a Legal Advisor's preliminary conference or mediation are assigned, on request, to a Commission Administrative Law Judge for a hearing. Either party may hire an attorney; attorney fees must be approved by the Commission, and in contested cases half the fee is paid by the employer or insurer. Decisions of an Administrative Law Judge can be appealed to the Full Commission.
How do I file or check a workers' comp claim online in Arkansas?
In Arkansas you do not need to apply for benefits with the Workers' Compensation Commission: report the injury to your employer or supervisor immediately (in writing, with the time, place and nature of the injury), and the employer or insurer provides medical care and disability payments and files the required reports with the Commission. If you think you have not received all benefits due, Commission Legal Advisors can advise you and arrange a preliminary conference or mediation. If the problem is not resolved, file WCC Form AR-C, Claim for Compensation, with the Commission (P.O. Box 950, Little Rock, AR 72203-0950) within two years from the date of injury or one year from the last payment of compensation.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.