Workmans Comp Insurance
An overview

• Any time an injury or sickness is a direct result of performing one’s job or performing duties on the behalf of one’s employer, this qualifies as a workman’s comp related injury.

• Workmans comp insurance covers both single incident injuries and illness resulting form long-term exposure to some type of health hazard.

• If employees are especially careless or negligent, employers or their insurance agencies can dispute a workman’s comp claim.  Also, if the incident was not due to job-related activities, the employer may dispute the claim.

• Most companies purchase workmans comp insurance through the state, or through a state-approved company.

• Larger companies are allowed to self-insure their employees in most states, though this still must be supervised by the state.

• This allows companies with many employees to reduce costs.  Some states allow smaller companies to group together and self-insure, something known as group self-insurance.

• If you are am employer, the first thing you need to figure out is whether or not you present state allows you to purchase workman’s comp insurance from a private insurer, or just through the state.

• If your state allows private workman’s comp insurance, you will most likely have your choice of many offers.

• Medical Expenses
• Death Benefits
• Rehabilitation
• Disability

• Employees have the right to quick and easy access to all necessary forms in order to file a claim.

•  If a workplace injury does take place, the employer must address the medical needs of the individual in question, taking responsibility for these expenses.

• Employees also have the right for their claims to be processed in a timely fashion, and for reasonable and accurate claims to be undisputed. 

• As an employer, if you think an employee is filing a false or inaccurate claim, then you must still process this claim.  However, you should include a written statement detailing why you think the claim is inaccurate or falsified with the corresponding paperwork.

• Then, the insurer will have the chance to review the circumstances surrounding the claim and determine what action is appropriate.  As an employer, disputing too many claims can raise your claim costs in the future.

• Therefore, it is a good idea to only dispute claims that you clearly believe hold fast or inaccurate information.

• As an employer, you can do some things to keep your workman’s comp costs down.

• The most important thing is to educate your employees about workplace hazards and how to stay safe on the job.

• Publish this material and make it publicly available throughout the workplace if possible.  

• contractor insurance
• small business insurance
• workplace injuries
• employer health insurance
• professional employer organization
• contributory negligence
• employment law

Similar to employer insurance, employees also have responsibilities and rights.  To learn more about this, check out the employee rights section.

And don't forget to check out the various employment background screening sections, especially if you are interested in federal government jobs.