Can I Get Workers’ Compensation if I’m Self-Employed?

Most employees in Kentucky are covered under workers’ compensation laws. However, self-employed individuals typically do not have to carry workers’ compensation insurance, though there are some circumstances where individuals who work in high-risk industries will have to carry workers’ comp even if they are self-employed or sole proprietors. Here, we want to discuss self-employed workers’ compensation in Kentucky so that you understand your requirements in these situations.

Are Self-Employed Individuals Covered?

In general, workers’ compensation insurance is only required for employers who actually have one or more employees, aside from the owner or sole proprietor. Whether or not independent contractors or self-employed workers need this type of coverage will depend on various factors, including the risk tolerance of the self-employed individual.

In most situations, a self-employed individual will not be required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. However, independent contractors and other self-employed individuals can certainly opt to purchase workers’ compensation insurance. Any individual who worries about whether or not they will be able to afford medical expenses if they sustain an on-the-job injury should seriously consider purchasing insurance for the sole purpose of covering work-related injuries.

Additionally, it may be a requirement in particular industries for individuals to carry workers’ compensation insurance, even if they are self-employed. This is particularly true for high-risk industries such as construction. For example, general contractors may only hire subcontractors or independent contractors who have their own workers’ compensation insurance.

It is not uncommon for various industries, even those that may not be as high risk as construction, to require independent contractors to carry workers’ compensation insurance as a condition of the contract.

How to Get Workers’ Comp as an Independent Contractor

If you work in a high-risk industry, or if you simply think that you need workers’ compensation insurance as an independent contractor, you should consider a work injury insurance policy. However, finding an affordable workers’ compensation policy can be challenging.

The Kentucky’s “One Stop Business Portal” outlines the process of searching for a quality workers’ compensation insurance policy that meets your needs. On that website, you can find a link to look up various policies that may be beneficial in your situation.

Work With an Attorney After a Workplace Injury

If you or somebody you care about has sustained a workplace injury, you may need to work with a Kentucky workplace accident attorney to recover compensation for your losses. An attorney can help you deal with difficult workers’ compensation insurance carriers, particularly if your claim has been denied or if you are not offered as much money as you think you should receive. Additionally, if your workplace injury was caused by a third party other than an employer, you may be able to recover compensation through a personal injury civil lawsuit against the at-fault party.

A skilled attorney can use their resources to conduct a complete investigation into the incident, determine liability, and handle all negotiations with aggressive insurance carriers. The goal is to make sure that you recover compensation for your medical bills and lost wages caused by your injury or illness.