Workers Compensation for Self-Employed Businesses
Workers comp for self-employed business owners protects your employees and your business from work-related accidents, illnesses, and even death. Every state carries individual requirements that employers have insurance to cover medical costs and lost wages for workers who are injured or become ill on the job. If you don’t carry workers compensation insurance, you could be liable for these costs, and be subject to fines or penalties.
Workplace injuries happen even in the safest of workspaces. Even if your employee has health insurance, you are responsible for their medical costs if they suffer a job-related injury or illness. In addition, the worker is entitled to a percentage of their regular wages during the time that they are unable to work due to their injury or illness. These costs are covered by workers compensation insurance. If you don’t have insurance, you will have to pay these costs out of pocket.
You need Workers Comp Insurance if your business:
*is ready to hire your first employee
*has one or more full time employees
*employees 1 or more employees 35 hours or more per week for 13 weeks or longer during the preceding 52 weeks.
When screening applicants, employers are encouraged to perform:
A work history check to verify references and employment history.
A criminal record check. Patterns of fraud or criminal activity could be a red flag.
A credit check.
A medical, alcohol or substance abuse test. Most of these screenings can be done only after a contingent job offer has been made.
A workers’ compensation background check. This can only be done after a contingent job offer has been made and is not available in all states. Check with your background screening company
for availability or potential restrictions of such a check.
Our workers compensation program at Future Insurance offers advising to help you with risk management and safety resources for all types of businesses. Give us a call today 989-799-8808.
