TO ALLOW ADDITIONAL WAGE LOSS BENEFITS IN ADDITION TO SCHEDULED INJURY PAYMENTS UNDER THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAW THAT RESULTED FROM INITIATED MEASURE 1948, NO. 4.

Senate Bill 286 (SB 286) amends Arkansas's Workers' Compensation Law regarding benefits for employees who suffer a scheduled injury. The bill allows the Workers' Compensation Commission to consider additional factors beyond an employee's permanent physical impairment when determining permanent partial disability benefits. These factors can include the employee's age, education, work experience, and other matters reasonably expected to affect their future earning capacity. This change means that employees with scheduled injuries may be eligible for permanent partial disability benefits that exceed the percentage of their physical impairment if their ability to earn wages is significantly impacted.