Workmans Comp Lawyer in Bentonville

No one expects to get injured at work. A severe injury that prevents you from your day-to-day activities can put tremendous strain on your financially and emotionally.

At Walker & Harp, our workers’ comp attorneys specialize in protecting your rights. For 40 years, our clients have trusted us to maximize their compensation and put them on a path to a speedy financial recovery.

Types of Injuries Covered by Workers’ Compensation

Arkansas workers’ compensation makes a distinction between temporary and permanent disability, as well as total and partial disability. The amount and length of thepayments will vary, depending on this classification.

The injuries that are generally covered, include:

• Serious physical injuries such as broken bones, loss of limb, burns, scarring, disfigurement, and brain and spinal cord injuries
• Repetitive motion or stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendon, ligament and muscle injuries, and nerve damage
• Injuries that affect the joints and connective tissues in the foot, ankle, leg, hip, arm, shoulder, etc.
• Mental health conditions as a result of the work environment, such as stress, anxiety, and depression
• Occupational disease and illness, including cancer, heart disease, hearing or vision loss, and mesothelioma

What is Covered Under Workers’ Compensation?

Employees that become ill from their jobs or sustain a workplace injury are entitled to the following benefits:

• Medical care – everything from the initial office visit to treatment, prescription medication, surgery, and medical devices are paid for under workers’ compensation.
• Lost wages – Arkansas employees are entitled to 66 2/3% of their weekly salary, up to a maximum specified by the state. The compensation is tax-free.
• Ongoing care costs – If the workplace injury requires ongoing care like physical therapy and rehabilitation, these expenses are covered.
• Disability payments – If the injury results in the employee never being able to return to work or the employee cannot return to work in his or her full capacity, there may be ongoing disability payments.
• Funeral expenses – In the unfortunate event of a fatality, workers’ compensation insurance covers funeral costs. Depending on the employer’s coverage, there may also be support payments provided to the employee’s dependents.

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

The most important thing to do to ensure your right to receive benefits is to report the injury as soon as it occurs and get immediate medical care. Depending on the severity of your workplace injury, you may need to go to the Emergency Room.

Your employer should contact their workers’ comp provider to submit a claim, called a First Report of Injury or Illness. After this document has been filed, you’ll probably be asked to see a doctor of the company’s choosing.

Even if you have a doctor you’d prefer to visit, it’s vital that you see the specified physician for your first appointment. You can always request to see another doctor later, but compliance at each step is critical to protect your workers’ compensation eligibility.

Assuming you and your employer have followed the necessary steps, you should begin receiving compensation due to your lost wages with 14 days. If there are any issues with your disbursements, get in touch with a worker’s comp attorney right away.

Third-Party Claims

In some cases, a third party could be at fault for your injury. For example, your slip and fall injury could have been caused by a faulty seal coating on the floor or pavement. Or, the kickback from the machine that broke your arm could have been from a defective part made by the machine’s manufacturer.

In cases like these, you could have a third-party claim in addition to your primary workers’ compensation claim. A third-party claim can allow you to collect payment for pain and suffering and emotional stress. Depending on how egregious the negligence was from the thirdparty, you may also be rewarded punitive damages.

About Bentonville, AR

The lovely city of Bentonville is home to more than just Walmart’s headquarters. It also happens to have 20 miles of hiking trails that boast beautiful scenery and a sense of community that rivals the smallest towns.

As Bentonville continues to grow, we strive to protect the rights and well-being of its citizens by providing honest and aggressive legal representation.

Work with the Most Experienced Workers’ Comp Attorney in Bentonville

We’ve been serving the folks of Bentonville since 1978. Over the past 40 years, we’ve secured millions of dollars for our clients. Put our expertise to work for you today.

Get in touch for a free, no-obligation consultation.