Bella Vista Workers’ Compensation Attorney

If you’ve sustained a workplace injury, it can be painful in more ways than one! Not only do you have to deal with the physical injury or illness itself, but you’re also handling financial and emotional stress, too.

We understand what it’s like to have concerns about losing yourcareer and paying medical bills. In some cases, the thought of permanent disability can result in anxiety-filled days and sleepless nights.

When an injury or illness happens as a result of your job or work-related activities, never assume your employer and their insurance company will do what’s in your best interest. Their goal is to protect their bottom line by paying you as little as possible. They may even find an excuse not to pay you at all!

To protect your rights, choose a workers’ compensation attorney that works to get the best settlement possible for your situation.

Third-Party Claims

If your workplace injury was caused by something other than your workplace or a coworker, then you might be able to file a third-party claim in addition to a workers’ compensation claim.

Third-party injuries are due to faulty equipment or contractors who are not company employees. In these circumstances, you would be entitled to compensation from the third party that was responsible for your injury.

An example of a third-party claim is if you fall off of a ladder that had a manufacturing defect. In this case, the company that made the ladder could also be held liable for your injuries, resulting in additional compensation for you and your family.

What Is Covered Under Workers’ Compensation?

Under Arkansas law, any “reasonably” necessary medical care is covered. You’re also entitled to receive 66 2/3% of your wages tax-free while you are recovering, up to a maximum amount.

The medical expenses eligible for compensation are quite comprehensive and include the following:

• Visits to healthcare providers
• Hospital bills
• Surgery and pre-surgical care
• Physical therapy and other rehabilitative treatments
• Medical devices, including a wheelchair, crutches, a walker, a neck brace, etc.
• Prescription medication

In Arkansas, it’s important to note that most businesses are required to have workers’ compensation insurance to protect their employees when they sustain a workplace injury, but there are exceptions. For example, companies with fewer than three employees do not need to carry workers’ comp insurance.

Domestic employees, agricultural workers, independent contractors, and business owners are usually ineligible as well. To determine if you are entitled to benefits, contact us today for a free consultation.

Types of Injuries Covered by Workers’ Compensation

Any workplace injury or illness that is connected to your job may be covered by workers’ compensation. This can even include something that happened outside of the office, as well as cumulative trauma, like a repetitive stress injury.

The list of injuries and illnesses covered by workers’ compensation is as follows:

• Physical injuries such as back, knee, neck, shoulder, burns, disfigurement, and more
• Repetitive motion and overuse injuries
• Occupational illnesses, including contracting a disease
• Pre-existing conditions that became aggravated by your workplace
• Hearing or vision loss
• Stress-related injuries
• Fatalities

Sometimes workers are reluctant to report their injuries if they were wholly or partially at fault. They are worried that it will affect their employment status. However, it’s important to note that your injuries could be covered even if you were at fault or your employer did nothing wrong. Because workers’ comp is a no-fault system, it doesn’t matter if you acted carelessly or did something incorrectly that led to your injury. There are exceptions if you deliberately inflicted the injury on yourself, sabotaged machinery, were engaged in a scuffle, or if you sustained the injury while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

How Do I Get Benefits Under Arkansas’ Workers’ Compensation Program?

The steps to get benefits under Arkansas’ workers’ compensation program must be followed precisely to protect your eligibility.

The first thing to do is to report your injury to your employer immediately. Document and provide as much information as possible, including the date, time, and precisely what happened.

Your employer will file a claim with their worker’s comp insurance company, and you’ll likely be given instructions to see a doctor that’s been recommended by your employer or their insurance carrier. Even if you have a physician that you’d prefer to see instead, follow the instructions that you receive. Failure to comply with your employer’s specific request could jeopardize your case.

Once your claim is approved, you should receive financial compensation for your lost wages within 14 days. If, however, there is an unfavorable outcome or there’s been a mistake or misunderstanding somewhere during the process, your attorney will contact your employer and/or the insurance carrier.

Sometimes a preliminary phone call doesn’t resolve the issue, and mediation may be required. If that doesn’t yield a satisfactory outcome, then your attorney could file a Claim for Compensation, called a Form C (AR-C) with the Arkansas Workers Compensation Commission (AWCC).

About Bella Vista

Known as a world-class outdoor recreational destination, Bella Vista also has a thriving community of business owners that provide a vibrant atmosphere of retail and culinary delights. Currently, the city is working on a project to add more than 50 miles of hiking and biking trails to the area, doubling the existing trail area.

We want you to be able to experience everything Bella Vista has to offer, and that’s why we’ve been successfully representing the residents of this city in workers’ comp cases since 1978.

Get the Compensation for Your Claim that You Deserve

If you’re a victim of a workplace injury, it is imperative to have a skilled and qualified attorney on your side. In Bella Vista, AR, there is no one more experienced Walker & Harp. We’ve been successfully representing clients in workers’ compensation cases for more than 40 years, and we have a long track record of success.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.