Workers' comp claim denied in Arkansas: what to do next

Call the Commission's Legal Advisor Division (free, 1-800-250-2511) if you are not represented by an attorney. A Legal Advisor can explain your rights and can arrange a preliminary conference or mediation with your employer's representative.

Your employer's insurer, not the state, usually decides first. If they deny or delay, the free help listed here can explain your options.

Checked against official sources: October 31, 2026.

Deadlines are strict. If you are near one, call the state agency or free help today.

If your claim is denied or delayed in Arkansas

Who decides: Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission (Administrative Law Judges and the Full Commission)
First step: Call the Commission's Legal Advisor Division (free, 1-800-250-2511) if you are not represented by an attorney. A Legal Advisor can explain your rights and can arrange a preliminary conference or mediation with your employer's representative. If the problem is not solved, file Form AR-C (Claim for Compensation) with the Commission.
Form: Claim for Compensation (Form AR-C)
Deadline: File Form AR-C within 2 years from the date of injury, or for additional benefits within 1 year from the last payment of compensation or 2 years from the injury, whichever is later. After filing, if no request for a hearing is made within 6 months, the claim may be dismissed on motion, without losing the right to refile within those time limits.
Medical disagreements: If the carrier will not approve a change of doctor, petition the Commission for a one-time change of physician. You do not have to accept an impairment rating from a doctor; you may ask a Commission Legal Advisor for a preliminary conference or mediation about it.
Appealing the decision: Full Commission, then the Arkansas Court of Appeals.

Contact the employer or insurance carrier about the denied or missing benefits.
Ask the Commission's Legal Advisor Division for help; it can arrange a preliminary conference or mediation.
File Form AR-C (Claim for Compensation) with the Commission.
Ask for a hearing. If no real request for a hearing is made within 6 months after the claim is filed, the claim can be dismissed on motion (it can be filed again within the time limits).
An Administrative Law Judge holds a hearing and decides the claim.
A party who disagrees can appeal to the Full Commission and then to the Arkansas Court of Appeals.

Law: Ark. Code Ann. § 11-9-702(a)(1), (a)(4)

Source: labor.arkansas.gov

Sources

The official sources for Arkansas are listed on the Arkansas page.

National rules that may also matter

Not covered by state workers' comp?

These federal programs and laws cover some groups of workers instead of, or in addition to, state workers' compensation. If one of them may apply to you, check its rules and deadlines too. They are different from your state's.

Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA): Civilian employees of the federal government, including Postal Service employees. Official page

Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (Longshore Act): Maritime workers such as longshore workers, harbor workers, ship repairers, shipbuilders and ship-breakers, hurt on navigable waters of the United States or on an adjoining pier, wharf, dry dock, terminal or other area used to load, unload, repair or build ships. Some groups are excluded. Official page
Longshore maximum and minimum for October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027 (fiscal year 2027): maximum $2,163.92 a week, minimum $540.98 a week.

Law: 33 U.S.C. 906(b); DOL Longshore NAWW table

Defense Base Act: Civilian employees working outside the United States on U.S. military bases or under a contract with the U.S. government for public works or national defense. Claims are handled by the Longshore program. Official page

Federal Black Lung Program: Coal miners who are totally disabled by black lung disease (pneumoconiosis) from coal mine work, and survivors of miners whose deaths were caused by it. Official page

Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program: Current or former employees of the U.S. Department of Energy and its contractors and subcontractors, and certain uranium miners, millers and ore transporters, who became ill from toxic exposures such as radiation, beryllium or silica at covered work sites, and their survivors. The program is set up by the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). Official page

Railroad workers (Federal Employers' Liability Act): Employees of railroads in interstate commerce. Instead of a workers' compensation claim, a federal law lets an injured railroad worker sue the railroad for damages caused by its negligence.

Seamen (Jones Act): A seaman injured in the course of employment may bring a lawsuit against the employer, with the right to a jury trial, under the same federal rules that apply to railroad workers.

National help

Your state workers' compensation agency answers questions about claims. Many have a free help line, an ombudsman or information officers for injured workers.

The Legal Services Corporation funds 129 nonprofit legal aid organizations in every state, D.C. and the territories. Enter your address on its website to find one near you. You can also look up legal information and free forms at LawHelp.org. Whether a local program handles workers' compensation cases varies.

LawHelp.org