When you work for an employer, you are typically covered by workers’ compensation. While some people may worry that they won’t be covered based on their industry, the truth is that most jobs do have some kind of coverage so long as the individual is an employee and not an independent contractor.
Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance coverage that employers are required to carry when they have five or more employees. In the construction industry, employers have to have coverage if they have one employee or more.
Some people may not claim because they believe that they don’t qualify for compensation, but you may be surprised to find out that most people do. Here are a few facts you should know about Missouri’s workers’ compensation requirements.
Are family members eligible for workers’ compensation?
Employees, whether they’re family members or not, are covered by workers’ compensation when the business is required to have it by law. There are some exceptions such as farm labor, domestic servants in private homes, direct sellers, volunteers of tax-exempt organizations, qualified real-estate agents and some others.
Can you seek workers’ compensation if you work part time?
Some businesses employ primarily part-time workers, and those workers may believe that they don’t have the same benefits as full-time coworkers. That’s not true when it comes to workers’ compensation. If you’re hurt on the job, you may qualify even if you’re only on the clock for a few minutes.
Are railway, postal or maritime workers covered by workers’ compensation?
There are special requirements for railroad, postal and maritime workers. While they may not be covered by Missouri’s workers’ compensation laws, they are covered by federal laws. Those who are hurt in those industries have other options for compensation.
Overall, the thing to remember about workers’ compensation in Missouri is that employers are required to have it if they have enough employees. If they do not carry workers’ compensation and someone is hurt on the job, then the employee who is injured may still be able to make a personal injury claim, which would be much more costly to the employer in most cases.
