Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that covers an employee’s lost wages and medical expenses if they are forced to miss work due to a workplace injury. This insurance is provided to people who have sustained injuries while at work, and in return, the employee gives up their right to sue their employer. This form of insurance is commonly used in the context of an employer-employee relationship, but self-employed people often use it.
Contact the Phoenix Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at Snow, Carpio, and Weekley, PLLC, to learn more about your worker’s compensation rights in Arizona.
Who Should Have Workers’ Compensation Insurance?
Arizona laws demand that all entrepreneurs — big and small — bear workers’ compensation insurance. Regardless of whether your Arizona organization or business has only a single employee — and even if that employee is a minor, an alien, a family member, or a part-time employee — you are required to hold a worker’s compensation insurance policy. Domestic servants in private residences are an exception.
Independent contractors and staff whose job is “casual” and not part of the employer’s regular operations are not expected to have workers’ compensation insurance. Furthermore, some company owners — such as members of a limited liability company, corporate officers, partnership partners, and sole proprietors — are not required to have workers’ compensation insurance. Employees of those companies, including corporate officers who are themselves, employees, must, however, be covered by workers’ compensation insurance.
Even Without a Workers’ Compensation Policy, Clients Can Request It
Arizona may not require you to have workers’ compensation insurance, but you need to answer the following state-specific questions to determine if you need to secure one, including:
- What types of employees need workers’ compensation?
- Does the coverage cater for out-of-state work?
- Do you have any plans to employ more employees soon?
Once you know what type of employees should be covered by the workers’ compensation insurance, you can commence the search for coverage.
Although you may be legally exempt from buying workers’ compensation insurance, it is not illegal for a corporation to mandate an independent contractor, even though that contractor has no employees, to provide workers’ compensation insurance.
Your clients can require you to have your own workers’ compensation policy, even though you’re the sole employee, to restrict their liability. In the past, independent contractors who sustained injuries on the job have filed workers’ compensation lawsuits against several companies. Clients may require sole proprietors they employ to provide their own insurance as a precaution.
Contact Snow, Carpio, and Weekley
The workers’ compensation lawyers at Snow, Carpio, and Weekley, PLLC, have protected thousands of Arizona workers’ interests, winning millions of dollars in accident insurance coverage for them. All their lawyers have a cumulative career experience of over 100 years in the legal sector. Call (877)-370-5788 to schedule a free legal consultation today.
