Q
As your business takes off you may catch yourself needing help sooner rather than later. With employees come a whole set of financial responsibilities. From payroll down to Workman’s Comp or also known as Workers’ Compensation Insurance. No matter what you call it’s important to know how this insurance protects yourself and your employees from workplace hazards.
This insurance covers the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Ongoing care costs
- Funeral expenses
Some states require a MINIMUM amount of employees for this coverage and those states are:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
Regardless of where you are you just want to make sure your peace of mind is protected knowing that if something happens your staff can be taken care of.
Workers’ Compensation insurance is designed to cover medical costs, lost wages, and other losses that arise due to workplace injury or illness. In essence, it helps employees recover financially if they’re hurt on the job or become sick due to their job-related duties and activities. Generally speaking, Workers’ Comp covers medical and hospital bills related to either physical injury or an occupational disease; depending on the state, it may even cover mental health expenses. The employee’s lost wages can also be covered if they have difficulty returning to work following an illness or injury – up to a certain predetermined amount. Additionally, some states provide death benefits for employees who don’t survive a workplace incident. Workplace accidents and injuries are often expensive for everyone involved; Workers’ Comp helps take care of these costs and ensures that everyone can heal appropriately if something does go wrong.
Generally speaking, Workers’ Comp covers medical and hospital bills related to either physical injury or an occupational disease; depending on the state, it may even cover mental health expenses
Who Is Covered by Workers’ Comp Coverage?
It’s essential you understand the ins and outs surrounding your state-specific workers’ compensation requirements. Various factors like employee roles and business size can weigh in on who needs to be covered, but most states mandate full-time employees receive comp coverage at a minimum. Additionally, certain temp or intern positions may also require protection depending on local laws – so make sure you know what is expected of you when it comes to workers’ compensation in your state.
- Farmhands
- Insurance agents
- Family members under a certain age
- Casual workers
- Business owners and partners
- Real estate agents
DID YOU KNOW? 1099 EMPLOYEES ARE CONSIDERED “EMPLOYEES” UNDER WORKERS COMP LAWS!
How Does the Workers’ Compensation Coverage Claim Process Work?
No matter where you’re located, it’s vital to promptly initiate a workers’ comp claim if an illness or injury happens on the job. However, these requirements and detailed information can differ depending on the state – so make sure to familiarize yourself with them! Knowing what’s required is key for ensuring your process goes as smooth as possible.
- Make sure your injured or ill employees get immediate medical care.
- Your employee or their representative should notify you about the work-related injury or illness as soon as possible.
- You’ll need to contact your workers’ comp provider to submit a claim. You may also need to notify a state-run workers’ comp board.
- Your insurance company will review the claim and approve or deny benefits.
- Your employee will get approved benefits and compensation.
It’s critical to stay in the know about workers’ comp regulations, as any delays could cost you coverage. Many states impose a time limit between 30 and 90 days for employees to report an injury to their manager or employer alerting insurance companies — make sure you understand these deadlines!
If you need help navigating these regulations in your state and need a quote, fill our application below!