Almost all Jonesboro employees are protected by Arkansas workers’ compensation benefits, which pay all of the employee’s medical costs associated with a job-related injury or illness, as well as partial wage replacement if they must take time off of work or they are permanently disabled. However, there are some exceptions. If you have any questions about your eligibility to receive workers’ compensation, do not hesitate to reach out to an experienced Jonesboro attorney at once.
Most Employees are Covered by Workers’ Compensation Benefits When They Get Hurt
According to the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission, Arkansas employers must provide workers’ compensation insurance when:
- They employ three or more employees;
- They employ two or more employees who are engaged in building or building repair work;
- They employ one (or more) employee who is employed by a contractor who subcontracts any part of their contract; and
- They employ one or more employees employed by a subcontractor.
Furthermore, for the purpose of qualification, an “employee” includes an owner, full or part-time employee, sole proprietor, partner, and volunteer.
Exceptions to the Rule: Those Not Covered by Workers’ Compensation
Not all job types are covered by workers’ compensation benefits, even if the previously mentioned employee numbers are met. These positions, according to the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission, include agricultural and farm labor and domestic labor, as well as employment by religious organizations, charitable organizations, and nonprofit organizations. Railway and maritime workers are covered under federal laws, however, and should seek compensation through those means with the assistance of a lawyer.
I Got Fired. Am I still Eligible for Benefits?
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for employers to retaliate against an employee right after they get injured on the job for filing a workers’ compensation claim. This is illegal. To be sure, your employer cannot fire you for filing a workers’ compensation claim, and even if they do, you will still be eligible for benefits if you work with an experienced attorney. All eligible employees who get hurt or sick on the job can receive benefits if they take the proper measures and report their condition in time. Even if it was your first or your last day on the job, you are most likely entitled to benefits if your employer has sufficient numbers of employees and your position is not part of the list excluded from workers’ compensation.
A Jonesboro Workers’ Compensation Attorney is Standing By
Receiving workers’ compensation is not always as simple as it may seem. Your employer may put up a fight, or their insurance carrier may decrease the benefits that you request. If you were hurt or became ill on the job, contact our Jonesboro attorneys today at Wells & Wells.