Arkansas workers' compensation
Everything to know about workers’ compensation for
Arkansas
businesses
What does workers’ compensation cover?
A standard workers’ comp policy covers four primary areas: medical expenses, lost wages, employer liability and ongoing rehabilitation. EverPeak policies ensure your crew gets the care they need to return to work safely while protecting your business from the costs of workplace accidents.
Medical care
Coverage for the necessary treatment resulting from a work-related injury or illness.
Lost wages
Partial pay for employees unable to work while recovering from an injury.
Legal protection
Financial support for your business if an employee files a lawsuit related to an accident.
Ongoing care
Rehabilitation and training to support employees re-enter the workforce, and ongoing benefits for permanent injuries.
Death benefits
Financial support for the families.
What are
Arkansas
's workers' comp laws?
Situated in the heartland of the United States, Arkansas offers a unique mix of Southern charm and a pioneer spirit. From the bustling vibrancy of Little Rock to the natural beauty of the Ozark Mountains, the Natural State beckons both adventure seekers and business visionaries.
With a thriving economy and a diverse range of industries, Arkansas provides ample opportunities for businesses to prosper. When it comes to protecting your business and your employees, it's essential to find the right workers' compensation insurance.
What is workers' compensation?
Workers' compensation is a system of insurance required for employers with three or more employees. It’s designed to provide employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses with medical treatment and indemnity benefits.
Without workers’ compensation, the cost of a work-related injured or ill employee’s medical treatment could become the responsibility of your business.
Arkansas workers' compensation laws and rules
Arkansas workers’ comp coverage is legally required for all businesses with three or more full-time or part-time employees (excluding sole proprietors).
Arkansas's workers' compensation laws are designed to protect both employees and employers in the event of workplace injuries or illnesses.
Key aspects include coverage for medical expenses, wage replacement benefits, and compensation for permanent disabilities.
Employees who are injured on the job must report their injuries to their employer promptly, usually within 30 days. Employers must then report the incident to their workers' compensation insurance partner and the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission.
Employees can verify online if their employer has coverage.
Who is covered and exempt from
Arkansas
workers' comp?
Who is covered?
Policies include protection for full-time and part-time workers.
Exemptions from workers’ compensation in Arkansas may include, for example:
- Railroad and maritime workers
- Agricultural farm labor
- Domestic help
- Non-profit employees
- Religious, charitable or relief organizations
Covered injuries and illnesses
Workers' compensation covers a range of work-related injuries and illnesses, including physical injuries resulting from an accident and occupational diseases that may develop over time due to job conditions.
Benefits provided
Arkansas workers’ comp insurance provides three types of benefits for work injuries:
- Medical benefits
- Lost wages
- Death benefits
- Medical treatment for work-related accidents, injuries and/or illnesses
- Temporary disability benefits
- Permanent disability benefits
- Continued medical maintenance
- Death benefits to dependents
Arkansas workers’ compensation rates
Arkansas laws place a limit on how much an employee can receive in combined temporary disability benefits and permanent partial disability benefits. The cap changes each year.
As of October 2023, the weekly compensation rate in Arkansas is two-thirds of a person’s average weekly wage, up to a weekly maximum of $876 for total disability and $657 for permanent partial disability.
How much does workers’ comp cost in
Arkansas
?
How do you file a workers’ compensation claim in
Arkansas
?
Filing a workers' compensation claim
Step 1: Employee reports injury to employer
The employer should be notified of the injury as soon as possible so they can complete the required forms in a timely manner.
Step 2: Seek medical care
Workers are to seek care from a doctor chosen by their employer or the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance partner.
If the employee is not satisfied with the care of the chosen doctor, they may elect to exercise a one-time right to request a change of physician.
Employers should not file a Change of Physician Request form for employees unless the employee has specifically chosen the doctor being requested.
Step 3: Employer reports injury
Arkansas workers’ compensation law requires employers to file a report and related Arkansas workers’ compensation forms within 10 days of the injury.
Step 4: Receive benefits
If the workers’ compensation claim is accepted, an injured employee may begin to receive workers’ compensation benefits, such as lost wages and medical benefits.
Step 5: Return to work
Following their recovery, a worker is expected to resume work safely. If an employee is unable to return to their previous position or any other type of work due to their work-related injury, they may be entitled to permanent total disability benefits.
How to get workers' compensation
Insurance requirements for employers
Generally, employers in Arkansas with three or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance or qualify for self-insurance. Compliance with these requirements is essential to protect both the employer and employees.
Choosing the right insurance partner
When selecting a workers' compensation insurance provider, consider factors such as the provider's experience in the industry, financial stability, coverage options, claims process, customer service, and cost.
We recommend requesting multiple quotes and comparing the offerings before making a decision.
Covering your business and employees with a trusted insurance partner — like EverPeak — brings peace of mind so you can focus on your bottom line.
FAQs
Enforcing safety protocols, providing proper employee training, maintaining a clean and hazard-free work environment, and regularly reviewing safety practices can significantly reduce workplace injuries.
Your premium is primarily determined by your industry payroll classifications, geographic location and total annual payroll. Your business’s safety history can also play a major role in determining your final rate. Three key factors influence your base insurance rate:
- Industry classification codes: Higher-hazard trades naturally carry higher baseline rates.
- Geographic location: Rates and statutory benefit structures fluctuate heavily by state lines.
- Historical safety record: Maintaining an accident-free workplace lowers your Experience Modification Rate (E-mod), resulting in built-in premium discounts.
Most states require businesses with employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance to stay compliant. Requirements vary by location, but having coverage ensures your business is protected and your team has access to benefits if an injury occurs.
Employees can verify online if their employer has coverage through the state’s online search tool.
Ideally, the incident should be reported immediately or within a few days of the occurrence. Prompt reporting helps ensures the necessary steps are taken to initiate the workers' compensation claims process.
Whether you need coverage for contractors depends entirely on your state’s specific regulatory definitions and formal worker classification tests. Since misclassification regulations are highly complex and can lead to severe audits or stop-work orders, it’s vital to ensure your entire labor force is properly verified and protected based on the actual day-to-day work they do.
Learn more: Do independent contractors need workers’ compensation?
In most cases, employees in Virginia are barred from suing their employers for work-related injuries or illnesses. The workers' compensation system provides an exclusive remedy, meaning that employees typically cannot file a lawsuit against their employers. Instead, they must pursue a workers' compensation claim to receive benefits for their injuries or illnesses.
In Virginia, employers who fail to procure or sustain the appropriate workers' compensation coverage for their employees may face civil fines of up to $250 per day of non-compliance. Failure to adhere to this requirement can reach a maximum of $50,000 in fines.
Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that benefits employers and employees in the case of a work-related injury or illness.
Why choose EverPeak for workers’ comp coverage?
EverPeak protects the hardest-working businesses in (state) with simple, reliable workers’ comp starting as low as $18 a month. Backed by over a century of specialized experience, customers get multi-state coverage, fast and easy claims support, and a vast network of brokers.