Workers’ Compensation

There are a number of benefits available under the Workers’ Compensation System. We help those who are injured on the job receive benefits after suffering a work related injury.

 
Attorney Laura McKinnon answers questions about Arkansas Workers’ Compensation during Ask The Expert on KFSM Channel 5

Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits:

  • Medical Benefits
  • Total Temporary Disability (TTD)
  • Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
  • Wage Loss

Medical Benefits:

Medical treatment must be authorized by the companies Workers’ Compensation carrier. Your treatment must also be what we call “reasonable” and “necessary” for your continued healing. There are two ways of getting a different doctor than the Workers’ Comp carriers doctor:

  1. If he/she is unable to treat you he can refer you to a specialist.
  2. Workers’ Compensation Change of Physician form.

We do not recommend using this change of physician until after you have spoken with an attorney because you are limited to one form for the entirety of your case and you don’t want to change to the wrong type of doctor.

Total Temporary Disability (TTD):

TTD is paid to the claimant if they are under active medical treatment, still in their healing period, and has a note from their doctor restricting them or taking them off work. TTD benefits are paid at two-thirds of the average weekly wage up to the Commission’s regulated maximum. TTD payments should be received until the claimant reaches the end of their healing period.

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD):

PPD is owed to the claimant when the healing period has ended and they are left with a partial permanent impairment. Physicians rate the impairment based on the American Medial Association’s Guide to Permanent Impairments 6th Edition.

Wage Loss:

Wage Loss is paid in addition to the impairment rating when an employee can no longer do their job due to the impairment and is forced to get a lesser paying job. The Administrative Law Judge generally takes into consideration age, education, work history (wages earned and job skills acquired), medical issues, motivation to work, “and other factors reasonably affecting the claimant’s ability to earn.”

For more information regarding Workers’ Compensation law, visit the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission.