Filing a Arkansas workers comp claim comes down to two deadlines and a few clear steps: report the injury to your employer, get medical care, and file with the state before the statute of limitations runs out. This guide walks through the Arkansas process in plain English, with the exact deadlines you cannot miss. All figures are from Arkansas sources, verified as of June 2026.
Arkansas at a Glance
| Report to employer | 30 days — an injured worker must give the employer written notice of the injury within 30 days of the accident (Ark. Code § 11-9-701); report immediately to be safe. |
| Deadline to file | 2 years from the date of injury to file a formal claim (Ark. Code § 11-9-702). For an occupational disease/latent injury, generally 2 years from the last injurious exposure or when the disease becomes apparent; silicosis or asbestosis claims must be filed within 1 year after disability appears. For ADDITIONAL compensation after an initial award, the claim must be filed within 1 year of the last payment of compensation or 2 years from the date of injury, whichever is greater. |
| Where to file | Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission (AWCC), within the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing. The injured worker files Form AR-C “Claim for Compensation” with the Commission (the employer/insurer separately files the First Report of Injury, Form AR-N). |
| Choose your doctor? | The employer or its workers’ compensation insurance carrier directs care and chooses the initial treating physician. The injured worker generally cannot pick their own doctor at the carrier’s expense, but you have a statutory one-time change of physician — you may petition the AWCC (or ask the carrier to approve another doctor) for one change of treating physician. Unauthorized treatment may not be paid by the carrier. |
| Benefits start | After a 7 calendar-day waiting period — wage (indemnity) benefits begin on the 8th day of disability. If the disability lasts more than 14 days, the worker is also paid retroactively for the first 7 days. Benefits must be supported by the authorized treating physician. |
In This Arkansas Guide:
Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim in Arkansas
Filing a Arkansas workers comp claim comes down to two deadlines and a few clear steps: report the injury to your employer, get medical care, and file with the state before the statute of limitations runs out. This guide walks through the Arkansas process in plain English, with the exact deadlines you cannot miss. All figures are from Arkansas sources, verified as of June 2026.
How to File a Workers’ Comp Claim in Arkansas
First steps: 1) Get medical attention immediately (emergency care first if needed). 2) Report the injury to your employer/supervisor in writing as soon as possible, and no later than 30 days. 3) Make sure the employer files the First Report of Injury with its insurer/the Commission. 4) Keep copies of all reports, medical records, and correspondence.
5) If benefits are not provided or are disputed, file Form AR-C with the AWCC within the 2-year limitations period.
1) Worker reports injury to employer (within 30 days). 2) Employer files the First Report of Injury (Form AR-N) with its carrier/the Commission. 3) Carrier authorizes a treating physician and investigates. 4) If accepted, the carrier provides medical care and wage-loss (indemnity) benefits. 5) If benefits are denied, delayed, or disputed, the worker files Form AR-C (Claim for Compensation) with the AWCC.
6) The Commission schedules a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), who issues a written opinion/award. 7) Either party may appeal to the Full Commission, then to the Arkansas Court of Appeals.
Choosing a Doctor in Arkansas
The employer or its workers’ compensation insurance carrier directs care and chooses the initial treating physician. The injured worker generally cannot pick their own doctor at the carrier’s expense, but you have a statutory one-time change of physician — you may petition the AWCC (or ask the carrier to approve another doctor) for one change of treating physician. Unauthorized treatment may not be paid by the carrier.
What to Do If Your Arkansas Claim Is Denied
If a claim is denied or any benefit is disputed, file Form AR-C with the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). The ALJ issues a written decision. A party who disagrees may appeal to the Full Commission, and then to the Arkansas Court of Appeals.
The AWCC’s Legal Advisor Division can answer procedural questions for unrepresented workers; you may also consult a licensed Arkansas attorney.
Appeal deadline: 30 days — a party has 30 days from receipt of the ALJ’s order/award to petition in writing for review by the Full Commission; likewise 30 days from the Full Commission’s decision to appeal to the Arkansas Court of Appeals.
Was your claim denied? A denial is not the end of the road in Arkansas — many denials are overturned on appeal. A workers’ comp attorney can review your case, usually for a free consultation.
What Happens After You File in Arkansas
Once your claim is filed in Arkansas, the employer’s insurer reviews it and either accepts it, asks for more information, or denies it. If it is accepted, your medical treatment is covered and your wage benefits begin after the waiting period.
Keep copies of everything — the injury report, your medical records, and any letters from the insurer — because they are what protect your claim if there is ever a dispute.
Common Mistakes That Hurt a Arkansas Claim
The two most common ways injured workers in Arkansas lose benefits are missing a deadline and gaps in medical treatment. Report the injury in writing as soon as you can, see a doctor and follow the treatment plan, and do not assume a verbal mention to a supervisor counts as official notice. If anything about the process is unclear, your state workers’-comp board can walk you through the next step.
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Other Arkansas claim rules: Arkansas requires the employee to prove a “compensable injury” by a preponderance of the evidence, and most injuries must be established by “objective medical findings” (findings not within the voluntary control of the patient) under Ark. Code § 11-9-102 — subjective complaints alone are not enough.
Arkansas also bars benefits where the injury was substantially occasioned by the worker’s use of alcohol or illegal/non-prescribed drugs (a positive post-injury test creates a rebuttable presumption against the claim). The one-time change of physician and employer-directed care rules above are strictly enforced.
Filing Your Arkansas Workers Comp Claim the Right Way
A Arkansas workers comp claim stands or falls on two things: hitting the deadlines and documenting the injury. Report the injury to your employer within the state window, file the Arkansas workers comp claim with the right agency before the statute of limitations runs out, and keep seeing your doctor.
Most denied claims come down to a missed deadline or a thin medical record — get both right and your Arkansas workers comp claim is on solid ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to report a work injury in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, you generally must tell your employer within 30 days — an injured worker must give the employer written notice of the injury within 30 days of the accident (Ark. Code § 11-9-701); report immediately to be safe. of the injury. Report it in writing as soon as you can — waiting can put your benefits at risk.
How long do I have to file a workers’ comp claim in Arkansas?
The Arkansas statute of limitations to file is 2 years from the date of injury to file a formal claim (Ark. Code § 11-9-702). For an occupational disease/latent injury, generally 2 years from the last injurious exposure or when the disease becomes apparent; silicosis or asbestosis claims must be filed within 1 year after disability appears.
For ADDITIONAL compensation after an initial award, the claim must be filed within 1 year of the last payment of compensation or 2 years from the date of injury, whichever is greater.. Reporting the injury and filing the claim are two separate deadlines — do not rely on one to cover the other.
What if my Arkansas workers’ comp claim is denied?
If a claim is denied or any benefit is disputed, file Form AR-C with the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). The ALJ issues a written decision. A party who disagrees may appeal to the Full Commission, and then to the Arkansas Court of Appeals.
The AWCC’s Legal Advisor Division can answer procedural questions for unrepresented workers; you may also consult a licensed Arkansas attorney.
Official Arkansas Sources & Resources
- Arkansas Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission (AWCC), a division of the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing: https://labor.arkansas.gov/workers-comp/
- Arkansas Workers’ Comp Statute: https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-11/chapter-9/subchapter-7/section-11-9-702/
- U.S. Department of Labor — Workers’ Comp: dol.gov
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org
This Arkansas workers comp claim guide was last verified against official sources in June 2026. Deadlines and procedures change — confirm the current rule with your state workers’-comp board or a licensed attorney.
More Arkansas Workers’ Comp Guides
- Arkansas Workers’ Comp Settlements
- Arkansas Workers’ Comp Requirements (Employers)
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Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and is not legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers Comp Explained is an independent educational resource, not a law firm or insurer. Workers’ comp benefits, settlement values, deadlines, and requirements vary by state and by the specific facts of your injury and change over time, and any settlement figures here are illustrative only.
Confirm your rights and any deadline with your state’s workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act.