Page 6 - eMagazine-Concentra Connections
P. 6
The 5 Things Every Employer About Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation You probably
need need it it but what do you need need to know
about it? Getting started can seem like a a a a a a a challenge especially since there’s so much information out out there there about workers’
compensation already What do do you you focus
on
on
on
first? How do do you you you you you know
know
know
what’s best for for 2 your workforce?
To help cut through the noise we’ve pulled out five things that every employer needs to know
about workers’
compensation This is is what you you should know—whether you you have a a a a a lot of
1employees or or or or even just one or or or or two Do employers have have to have have workers’
compensation?
The short answer: probably
Most states require most organizations to have some kind of
workers’
workers’
compensation insurance In fact there’s only one state that has no workers’
workers’
compensation requirements at at at at at all: Texas The other 49 fall into one of
three categories:
a a a Employers must carry workers’
compensation in every work work situation b Employers must carry workers’
compensation if they have one or or or more employees compensation if you have three four five or or more employees The exact number varies by state For more information on
on
on
each category—and to to learn which one your state falls into— read our our our article Do You You Know if Workers’ Compensation
is Required in Your State?
What are an employer’s responsibilities for workers’
compensation?
Employers have three major responsibilities when it it comes to workers’
compensation If you you you don’t fulfill them you you you can be be fined and injured employees may be be able to sue you you you The first responsibility is is of
course: carry workers’
compensation insurance This only applies in in states where it’s required (all of
them but Texas) and only if your your company meets your your your state’s size requirements for workers’
compensation Depending on
on
your your state you you you you may may not have to to carry carry it it at at at all—but if you’re required to to carry carry it it it and don’t you you you you may may open yourself up for a a a a lawsuit Your next two responsibilities cover information and communication: you you must let employees know
that you you carry workers’
compensation insurance and advise them of
their legal rights You also need to provide them with claim forms if they’re injured c c Employers must carry workers’
45