The Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission and the laws it administers were created effective December 5, 1940. Workers’ compensation insurance is directed to the moral, social and economic benefits of protecting employers, employees, and their dependents from financial burdens imposed by job-related injury and disease. Arkansas law provides that employers in categories not specifically exempted must provide insurance coverage for employee costs incurred as a result of job-related accidents and disease.
The AWCC is not an insurance company. Rather, it enforces the workers’ compensation laws to ensure that all covered employers secure insurance coverage from commercial carriers or through self-insurance programs. In addition, the AWCC regulates workers’ compensation awards to ensure that benefit providers make correct and timely payments to eligible claimants.
In some cases, the extent of disability as well as the fairness of the total compensation can be a contentious issue among the parties. The AWCC, through its three Commissioners and a staff of Administrative Law Judges, adjudicate disputed workers’ compensation cases with binding decisions that can be appealed to the Arkansas Court of Appeals and the Arkansas Supreme Court.
The three-member commission is responsible for the administration of the workers’ compensation laws in Arkansas. The Governor appoints each Commissioner for a term of six years. One of the Commissioners represents the interest of labor, another management, and the Chairman acts as a neutral party, representing the interests of the public.
The administrative and regulatory functions of the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission include monitoring all claims and benefit payment to injured workers, processing settlements, lump sum payments, and requests for changes in physicians; ensuring that employers maintain required insurance coverage; approving applications of employers to act as self-insurers; and participating in programs to explain the functions of the Commission to the general public.
Eleven Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission (AWCC) divisions offer help with the state workers’ compensation system and provide a multitude of services:
Explore employment opportunities available with the Department of Labor and Licensing
The Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing seeks to promote workplace health and safety through consultation and enforcement; protect employers and employees from financial burden imposed by work-related injury and disease; and provide consumer protection through occupational licensing as authorized by Arkansas law.
Renew Vehicle Registration
State Contracts
Start a Business
Property Tax
Gov2Go
Flag Status