| By their very nature, construction sites are | | | | case of the death of the employee) are fully |
| particularly dangerous places to work for employees. | | | | compensated, no matter who was at fault - the |
| Heavy machinery, bulky materials, steel girders and | | | | company, or the employee. The amount of insurance |
| potentially hazardous power tools and earth moving | | | | paid out is in proportion to medical bills, lost wages, or |
| equipment are used, often leading to severe and | | | | permanent disability. This also means that employers |
| sometimes even fatal accidents. That is why it is | | | | receive immunity against further civil lawsuits by |
| absolutely crucial for construction companies to carry | | | | injured employees. |
| not only workman's comp insurance but also general | | | | How does a company obtain workers comp |
| liability insurance to protect them from potential | | | | insurance? |
| claims resulting from injured employees as well as the | | | | Employers purchase workman's compensation |
| possibility of injured clients or even casual bystanders. | | | | insurance from private insurers. Insurance premiums |
| In most states, all employers are required to provide | | | | vary depending on the number of employees. |
| workers comp insurance for employees by law. | | | | What benefits do workers receive from a workers' |
| Failure to do so will not only result in serious penalties | | | | comp policy? |
| but also possible imprisonment for breaking the law. | | | | All medical bills are taken care of and employees may |
| The company will also be left in the unenviable | | | | also be compensated for temporary or total disability. |
| position of having to settle injury and disability claims | | | | Additional payments will be made if the worker has |
| themselves - no matter whether the employee was | | | | suffered a permanent disability such as the loss of |
| negligent or at fault. These damages may very likely | | | | limbs, damaged eyesight etc, or is unable to return to |
| run into several hundred thousand and even millions, | | | | work due to the severity of the injuries. If the |
| of dollars depending on the severity of the accident | | | | employee is killed while on duty, the insurance is paid |
| sustained and may end up financially crippling or | | | | out to their dependents. |
| bankrupting the company. That is a good reason | | | | Maintaining coverage |
| why, even if workers compensation insurance is not | | | | The onus is on the employer to maintain workers |
| mandatory, it is still a vital precaution for any | | | | comp insurance at all times. Failure to do so will result |
| responsible company with employees to carry this | | | | in penalties or imprisonment, as well as being liable for |
| insurance. | | | | the cost of injuries sustained by workers. For minor |
| How does workers comp insurance work? | | | | accidents under $1000, the company may elect to |
| Workers comp insurance policies covers the company | | | | pay the bills themselves. |
| against all liability and damages resulting from injuries, | | | | Injuries |
| illness or death suffered by employees as the result | | | | In the case of injuries and accidents, the employee is |
| of occupational accidents, hazards or negligence. In | | | | obliged to provide immediate medical treatment for |
| the event of an accident, illness or fatality at the | | | | workers and must also notify the insurance company. |
| place of work, employees or their beneficiaries (in the | | | | |