WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE FROM WORCESTER, MA SPECIALISTS

Proudly Providing Workers Compensation Insurance to Businesses in Worcester, MA & Many Other Cities & States Across the Nation

Every year, tens of thousands of employees sustain work-related injuries or contract work-related illnesses. Many of these injuries and illnesses require hospitalization, and some are even fatal. When an employee suffers a work-related injury or illness, the company they work for is often expected to pay their medical expenses and continue paying them a salary. These are expenses that few Worcester, MA companies could afford without workers compensation insurance.

What Are Workers Compensation Insurance Policies?

Workers compensation insurance policies offer businesses a highly specialized form of liability coverage. They’re specifically designed to help businesses compensate employees who are injured or become ill while on the job. Policies typically provide coverage for both medical expenses and lost wages associated with covered claims. (A policy’s exact coverages depend on its terms, conditions, exclusions and limits.)

Who Do Workers Compensation Policies Cover?

In most cases, workers compensation policies provide coverage for all of a business’ employees — regardless of how many hours they work or what their position within the company is. For example, the same policy might offer coverage for a part-time janitor, full-time cashier, and salaried manager.

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As noted above, a policy might also cover business owners or partners. Whether owners or partners are covered depends on their role in daily operations and the terms of the workers compensation policy.

Finally, there are also a few instances where a policy might cover subcontractors (who typically receive 1099s rather than W2s). These instances are relatively uncommon, though. Subcontractors normally are responsible for providing their own insurance.

What Worcester, MA Businesses Should Have Workers Comp Insurance?

Massachusetts generally requires businesses that have employees to maintain workers comp insurance coverage. Employees are typically workers who get a W2, as opposed to a 1099, when it’s time to file taxes (there may be a few exceptions to this).

Some businesses that don’t have employees may still elect to purchase workers comp coverage to protect people involved in business operations. Sole proprietorships, unincorporated businesses, limited liability partnerships, and limited liability corporations, for instance, might want coverage to protect business owners even if they don’t have employees.

What Affects Workers Compensation Policies’ Premiums?

As is true with most insurance policies’ premiums, many factors affect how much a business must pay for workers comp insurance. Some of the factors that may increase or decrease a policy’s premiums include:

  • The number of employees a business has
  • How much a business’ employees are paid
  • What industry a business is part of
  • Whether a business has previously filed workers compensation claims

In light of these factors, a small retailer, manufacturer, and a multi-site cafe would all probably have different workers comp premiums. Each business’ policy has a uniquely calculated rate.

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Do Workers Compensation Policies Prevent Employees from Filing Lawsuits?

Having workers comp insurance doesn’t void an employee’s legal right to sue if they’re injured or become ill while at work. In order to collect on a workers compensation claim, however, employees must usually sign away their right to sue their employer.

Thus, an injured or ill employee could (at least theoretically) decide not to file a workers comp claim and sue instead. Most people, however, file a claim. For, the insurance system is widely regarded as fair, and it tends to be much faster than filing a lawsuit.

How Can Worcester, MA Businesses Get Workers Compensation Insurance?

Worcester, MA businesses that need workers compensation insurance should contact an independent insurance agent. Massachusetts doesn’t have a state-operated workers compensation fund, so businesses must purchase policies on the open market. Independent agents help businesses with this process.

Contact Us

The Feingold Companies

Worcester Office
446 Main Street, Suite 1403
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: (508) 831-9500
Fax: (508) 797-4030

New Lakeside & Dudley Insurance
446 Main Street, Suite 1403,
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: (508) 943-0090

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