In Arkansas, businesses with three or more employees typically need workers’ compensation insurance. This ensures that workers who are injured on the job can seek financial compensation for their injuries.
However, workers’ compensation is not guaranteed and there is a claims process. A significant number of workers’ compensation claims are denied. And, despite there being an appeals process, this is something that you’ll want to avoid. One thing that can help improve the chances of success “the first time” is paying attention to the details of the process. Outlined below are a few important factors to consider.
Was the incident promptly reported?
In Arkansas, you have up to two years to report your injury and claim workers’ compensation. Nonetheless, it is generally best to act as soon as possible. If you wait until near the end of this time period, key pieces of evidence may be lost. For instance, co-workers who witnessed the incident may have moved on, making them difficult to locate. Additionally, camera footage of the incident may have been deleted.
If the two-year time period passes or you miss any other relevant deadlines (like, reporting your injury to your employer, which should happen immediately), your case could be in jeopardy.
Getting authorized treatment
In emergency scenarios, you should seek medical assistance from the nearest possible medical facility. If your injuries were not life-threatening or did not require immediate treatment, then it’s important to use only approved medical providers. Your employer should have approved medical institutions outlined in their insurance policy. Treatment outside of designated facilities could damage your case.
As you navigate the workers’ compensation process, seek legal guidance to take much of the stress and guesswork out of your efforts.