Posts From February, 2022

The Dangers of Not Carrying Workers Comp Insurance

When a company is operated within a state, there will be quite a few expenses involved. Regardless of the size or business of the company, the owners of these businesses love when they are able to find short cuts in order to save themselves money. Many companies will also try to save costs by eliminating costs that seem unnecessary, such as workers comp. However, the fact of the matter is that there are more risks involved for the company and if an injury occurs, then the financial liability could be in the hundreds of thousands.

States Governing Workers Comp

While each state has their own requirement when it comes to workers comp, all companies are required to have a certain type of insurance. The only exception is Texas, which only makes the requirement voluntary. When it comes to the rules and coverage of each state, that is determined by the state itself. For example, Georgia requires the workers comp insurance be determined by the number of staff members they have. While another state may have the company carry insurance based on company type. It is important that a business owner fully understands their state laws regarding workers comp as well as the coverages they must provide.

Fines Instilled For Non-Coverage of Workers Comp

Similar to what we saw with regulations regarding workers comp and their state requirements, there are also laws covering the fines instilled for non-coverage of workers comp. Besides fines, states may also pursue felony charges against a company if they willingly forgo workers comp coverage, which may put the company owner behind bars. A few of the states that could add jail time are Michigan, California, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.

Staying Away From Any Type of Risks

Having a huge expense such as workers comp may not be what many companies will be willing to pay for. In fact, many companies experience an operating cost of 2% just for workers comp insurance. With the rise of costs increasing, the amount of companies deciding to forgo this coverage will also rise. It is crucial that the insurance not be dropped by the company.

The purpose of workers comp is to provide coverage to all employees of a company who sustain injuries while on the job and covering the medical bills sustained by the injury. It also includes covering legal fees and wages lost while recovering. It is believed by many that having the costs paid out of pocket may save money. However, it is also believed that the premiums a company pays will be cheaper in the long run.

In Conclusion

With the high risks involving workers comp, many companies decide to get away from offering it in order to save money. If you currently work at a company that does not provide workers comp and you have been injured on the job, then you need to get a hold of us today to get your injury case started.

  • Posted on: Feb 22 2022
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Jobs That Workers Compensation Does Not Cover

While many jobs provide workers compensation, there are also many who do not provide coverage due to the job type not being one in which workers compensation covers. The following categories that are never covered by workers compensation involve owners of a business, volunteers, federal employees, independent contractors.

Owners of a Business

In a lot of states, the owners of a business will not be a covered individual of their insurance. However, in other states, the owners may elect to have the coverage for themselves as long as the premiums are regularly paid.

Working as a Volunteer

Working as a volunteer means you are not a paid employee and as such are not covered by workers compensation. Although coverage is not normally provided, the business still has the option to cover them. Many exceptions also exist which workers compensation covers and these include volunteer police and volunteer firefighters. When a volunteer is requested by a police officer or firefighter, they too become covered by workers compensation while assisting in emergency situations.

Employees of the Federal Government

Regardless of your job title or department your job falls under within the federal government, the workers´ compensation is a different type of system that is covered by the federal government.

Federal staff are covered through FECA, which covers any and all diseases and injuries happening by no fault of their own. With railroad workers, the Federal Employer´s Liability Act covers them and permits an employee to bring suit to their employer because of the injury sustained. Benefits provided may include earning lost wages, receiving medical treatment, and other damages such as pain and suffering.

Independent Workers

Having a worker as an independent contractor means they will not be covered by a company’s workers´ compensation insurance. However, they will be covered directly by workers´ compensation. This will be determined by the fact that the company will have the person listed as an employee or an independent contractor. This will matter the most when and if an injury takes place. When an employee is injured, a company may try to have them classified as an independent contractor so that they will not have to pay the insurance benefits that would be provided.

Separate Instances Where Workers Compensation Is Not Provided

Your state may have a list of job statuses that are listed as not being covered by workers compensation. A few of these involve workers who work on a part-time basis, Taxi-drivers, workers in the agricultural field, and those who work intermittently.

When you have become injured on the job but are listed as not being covered by workers compensation, then you need to be on the phone with us today! We´ll get your case started so that you get the benefits you deserve.

  • Posted on: Feb 1 2022
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