How to File a Workers' Compensation Claim in Arkansas
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Arkansas · Last updated 2026-09-07
A workers' compensation claim is how an employee who is injured on the job, or made ill by work, obtains medical care and wage-replacement benefits from the employer's insurer, without having to prove the employer was at fault. In Arkansas, the system is administered by the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission (AWCC), and contested claims are heard by an Administrative Law Judge of the Commission. Two deadlines are critical. You should report the injury to your employer immediately (Ark. Code 11-9-701); the employer is not responsible for benefits before it receives your report. And you generally have two years from the date of injury to file your claim on Form AR-C with the AWCC (Ark. Code 11-9-702). Benefits are meant to start automatically once the employer knows about the injury, but if the claim is denied, delayed, or underpaid, you file a Claim for Compensation on Form AR-C to bring it before the Commission. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
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How do I file a workers' compensation claim in Arkansas?
First, report your injury to your employer immediately (Ark. Code 11-9-701), since benefits cannot start until the employer knows. Benefits are meant to begin automatically. If the claim is denied, delayed, or underpaid, file a Claim for Compensation on Form AR-C with the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission within two years.
How long do I have to file a workers' compensation claim in Arkansas?
Two deadlines matter. You should report the injury to your employer immediately (Ark. Code 11-9-701), or the employer owes no benefits until it learns of it. Separately, you have two years from the date of injury to file your claim on Form AR-C with the Commission (Ark. Code 11-9-702).
What is the AR-C claim form in Arkansas?
Form AR-C, the Claim for Compensation, is the official form you file with the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission to open a disputed claim. You use it when benefits are denied, delayed, or underpaid. It is available at any Commission office, and you must file it within two years of the injury.
Who handles workers' compensation claims in Arkansas?
Arkansas workers' compensation is administered by the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission (AWCC). Day to day, your employer's insurance carrier pays medical bills and disability benefits. If a dispute arises, you file Form AR-C and the case is assigned to an Administrative Law Judge of the Commission for a hearing.
Arkansas workers' compensation claim law at a glance
In Arkansas, workers' compensation gives an employee who is injured on the job medical care and wage-replacement benefits from the employer's insurer, regardless of fault. The system is run by the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission (AWCC), and contested claims are heard by an Administrative Law Judge of the Commission. You should report the injury to your employer immediately (Ark. Code 11-9-701); the employer is not responsible for disability, medical, or other benefits before it receives your report. Benefits are meant to start automatically once the employer knows. If the claim is denied, delayed, or underpaid, you file a Claim for Compensation on Form AR-C with the Commission. You have two years from the date of injury to file, or one year from the last payment of compensation (Ark. Code 11-9-702).
Filing an Arkansas workers' compensation claim after a warehouse back injury
Suppose you hurt your back lifting boxes at an Arkansas warehouse. You tell your supervisor the same day and put the injury in writing, since Arkansas requires prompt reporting and the employer owes no benefits until it receives your report (Ark. Code 11-9-701). The employer gives you a Form AR-N notice of your medical rights, and its insurer starts paying for treatment automatically. Months later, the carrier disputes how much wage-replacement you are owed. Because you have two years from the date of injury to act (Ark. Code 11-9-702), you file a Claim for Compensation on Form AR-C with the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission. A Legal Advisor sets a preliminary conference, and if it is not resolved an Administrative Law Judge hears the case. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
Ark. Code 11-9-701 (notice of injury to the employer)
Requires the injured employee to report the injury to the employer on a form prescribed or approved by the Workers' Compensation Commission. The employer is not responsible for disability, medical, or other benefits before it receives the employee's report of injury, so prompt reporting protects your benefits.
Ark. Code 11-9-702 (two-year time limit for filing a claim)
Sets the time for filing a claim for compensation. For most injuries a claim must be filed within two years from the date of injury or death, or within one year from the date of the last payment of compensation, whichever is greater. Occupational-disease periods run from last exposure.
Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission, Injured Worker Questions and Answers
The AWCC's official guide tells injured workers to report the injury to the employer immediately, explains that benefits are automatic once the employer knows, and states that a disputed claim should be filed on WCC Form AR-C within two years of the date of injury.
WCC Form AR-C, Claim for Compensation (AWCC forms)
Form AR-C is the Claim for Compensation an injured worker files with the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission to press a denied, delayed, or underpaid claim. It is available at any Commission office. The related Form AR-N notifies the worker of the rights to medical care.
Regional Variances
Arkansas workers' compensation claim rules at a glance
Reporting deadline
Report immediately to your employer under Ark. Code 11-9-701. Arkansas sets no fixed number of days, but the employer is not responsible for benefits before it receives your report, so delay costs you.
Claim form
The Claim for Compensation is WCC Form AR-C, filed with the Commission to dispute a denied or delayed claim. The employer or insurer separately gives you Form AR-N, your notice of medical rights.
Filing deadline
Generally two years from the date of injury, or one year from the last payment of compensation, whichever is greater, under Ark. Code 11-9-702. Missing it can permanently bar the claim.
Who administers it
The Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission (AWCC). Contested claims are heard by an Administrative Law Judge of the Commission, with review by the Full Commission.
How disputes are filed
By filing Form AR-C with the AWCC when the insurer denies, delays, or underpays. A Legal Advisor may hold a preliminary conference or mediation before a hearing.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Report the injury to your employer immediately
Immediately after the injury days after startingTell your employer or supervisor right away and give written notice of the time, place, and nature of the injury (Ark. Code 11-9-701). The employer is not responsible for benefits before it receives your report, so report the moment you can and keep a dated copy.
Get your medical-rights notice (Form AR-N) and care
Right after you report days after startingThe employer or insurer should give you a copy of your rights to medical care on WCC Form AR-N and may designate your initial provider. Ask the employer or carrier before seeking treatment on your own, and keep every bill, record, and letter.
Let benefits begin and keep records
Ongoing after the injury days after startingIn most cases the insurer pays medical costs and disability benefits automatically once the employer knows. Document the diagnosis, treatment dates, and any work restrictions, since strong records support your claim if the carrier later disputes the benefits owed.
Track the insurer's decision and your deadlines
While the claim is pending days after startingNote the date of injury, the date you reported it, and any deadline the carrier sets for information. Keep proof of what you sent, so you can protect the two-year filing window under Ark. Code 11-9-702 if the claim is denied or delayed.
File Form AR-C if the claim is denied or disputed
Within two years of the date of injury days after startingIf benefits are denied, delayed, or underpaid, file a Claim for Compensation on WCC Form AR-C with the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission within two years of the injury (Ark. Code 11-9-702). File early to protect your rights. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
Prepare for a preliminary conference or hearing
After you file Form AR-C days after startingA Legal Advisor may arrange a preliminary conference or mediation; if it fails, an Administrative Law Judge of the Commission hears the case. Organize your report, medical records, and the insurer's letters. Attorney review of your case is available through DocDraft.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report the injury to your employer immediately | Tell your employer or supervisor right away and give written notice of the time, place, and nature of the injury (Ark. Code 11-9-701). The employer is not responsible for benefits before it receives your report, so report the moment you can and keep a dated copy. | - | Immediately after the injury |
| Get your medical-rights notice (Form AR-N) and care | The employer or insurer should give you a copy of your rights to medical care on WCC Form AR-N and may designate your initial provider. Ask the employer or carrier before seeking treatment on your own, and keep every bill, record, and letter. | - | Right after you report |
| Let benefits begin and keep records | In most cases the insurer pays medical costs and disability benefits automatically once the employer knows. Document the diagnosis, treatment dates, and any work restrictions, since strong records support your claim if the carrier later disputes the benefits owed. | - | Ongoing after the injury |
| Track the insurer's decision and your deadlines | Note the date of injury, the date you reported it, and any deadline the carrier sets for information. Keep proof of what you sent, so you can protect the two-year filing window under Ark. Code 11-9-702 if the claim is denied or delayed. | - | While the claim is pending |
| File Form AR-C if the claim is denied or disputed | If benefits are denied, delayed, or underpaid, file a Claim for Compensation on WCC Form AR-C with the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission within two years of the injury (Ark. Code 11-9-702). File early to protect your rights. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft. | - | Within two years of the date of injury |
| Prepare for a preliminary conference or hearing | A Legal Advisor may arrange a preliminary conference or mediation; if it fails, an Administrative Law Judge of the Commission hears the case. Organize your report, medical records, and the insurer's letters. Attorney review of your case is available through DocDraft. | - | After you file Form AR-C |
Frequently Asked Questions
A workers' compensation claim is how an employee injured on the job, or made ill by work, obtains medical care and wage-replacement benefits from the employer's insurer, without proving fault. In Arkansas, benefits are meant to start automatically once you report the injury, and disputes are decided by the Workers' Compensation Commission.
Reporting means telling your employer about the injury, which you should do immediately (Ark. Code 11-9-701); benefits cannot begin until the employer knows. Filing a claim is the separate step of submitting Form AR-C to the Commission if benefits are denied or disputed. Reporting comes first; filing Form AR-C follows only if there is a problem.
Arkansas does not set a fixed number of days, but you should report the injury to your employer immediately (Ark. Code 11-9-701). The Workers' Compensation Commission stresses that prompt reporting is the key, because the employer is not responsible for benefits before it receives your report. Report in writing, no matter how slight.
Generally, you have two years from the date of injury to file your claim on Form AR-C with the Commission (Ark. Code 11-9-702). If compensation was already paid, you have one year from the last payment, whichever is greater. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your claim.
If you delay reporting, the employer is not responsible for disability, medical, or other benefits before it receives your report of injury (Ark. Code 11-9-701). You can lose benefits for that gap, and late notice makes claims harder to prove. The Commission urges you to report immediately, in writing.
No. Arkansas workers' compensation is a no-fault system, so you do not have to prove your employer did anything wrong to receive benefits. You generally need to show the injury arose out of and in the course of your employment. In exchange, benefits are set by statute, not a jury.
Day to day, your employer's insurance carrier decides whether to pay. If you disagree, you file Form AR-C and a Legal Advisor may hold a preliminary conference or mediation. If that fails, an Administrative Law Judge of the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission hears the case, with review by the Full Commission.
If the insurer denies or delays your claim, file a Claim for Compensation on Form AR-C with the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission, generally within two years of the date of injury (Ark. Code 11-9-702). A Legal Advisor may mediate first. Attorney review of your case is available through DocDraft.
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