As an employee, it’s natural to want to know if your employer has workers’ compensation insurance. This way, you can have peace of mind knowing you will be covered if you are injured at work or develop an occupational illness.
But how can you tell if your employer has coverage?
1. Employers in the construction industry
If you work in the construction industry and your employer has one or more employees, including him or herself, they are required by law to have workers’ compensation coverage.
2. Employers in other industries
If you work in a non-construction industry and your employer has four or more full/part-time employees, they are required by law to have workers’ compensation coverage.
3. State or local government
If you work for the state or local government, your employer must have workers’ compensation coverage regardless of the number of employees.
4. Farmers
If you work for a farmer with six regular employees and/or 12 or more seasonal workers who work 30 days or more and/or over a total of 45 days in the same calendar year, the law requires your employer to have coverage.
6. Federal government
If you work for the federal government, your work-related injury or illness will be covered under Federal Workers’ Compensation.
Key things to note
Exempted corporate officers (officers of a corporation or members of a limited liability company who exclude themselves from workers’ compensation insurance laws) are not considered employees.
Further, employers in non-construction industries who are sole proprietors or partners are not required to obtain workers’ compensation coverage if they employ three or fewer full/part-time employees. And they won’t be included in the employee count. Sole proprietors and partners in the construction industry must observe workers’ compensation laws.
The above-discussed laws can help you deduce if your employer has workers’ compensation coverage. You should also seek legal guidance to obtain more information.