Employers just about everywhere are required by law to provide a safe work environment for employees and consumers. Just about any jobsite can become hazardous under the right conditions, from a flower shop to a construction site. Often, both workers and employers have questions about PA workers compensation insurance and understandably so. It can be confusing.
Most employers in the state are required to provide PA workers compensation insurance to its employees. There are some exemptions to this rule which can further add to the confusion. Chances are that you qualify for PA workers compensation insurance in any case.
Workers Compensation Laws
Workers compensation laws have been on the books for some time now and each state governs their own workers compensation laws just a little differently. By and far, they are generally the same. Workers compensation laws were put on the books to protect employees and ensure they receive adequate medical care after an on the job injury.
These laws provide a way to ensure medical bills don’t stand in the way of an employee receiving the proper care after a workplace injury. They also help encourage employers to provide the safest work environment possible. While workers are providing a service to their employers, the employer owes a duty of reasonable safety to the employees and other workers.
PA Workers Compensation Insurance
If you have been injured on the job in Pennsylvania, then chances are you qualify for PA workers compensation insurance. One exception is if you are an employee who has executive status in a corporation or if you’ve formally requested an exemption from the coverage due to a conflict in religious beliefs. Most other workers in the state qualify for workers compensation insurance.
Sole proprietors, or business owners who work in their own businesses, do have the option of purchasing workers compensation insurance coverage for themselves. If they suffer an on the job injury, they can even make a claim for medical bills and lost wages to cover the time they were unable to work.
PA Workers Comp Exceptions
The only time an employee in Pennsylvania is not covered by PA workers compensation insurance is if they are an agricultural worker who works for their employer for less than 30 days or makes less than $1200 in a calendar year. PA workers compensation insurance for domestic employees is optional.
Another exception to the rule is certain real estate agents but not all of them. Some real estate agents, brokers, or salespeople are classified as independent contractors and therefore, do not qualify for PA workers compensation insurance benefits. Given these options and exceptions, it’s easy to see why many are confused about PA workers compensation insurance laws.
One More Exception
The last exception to PA workers compensation insurance laws are employees who may be covered by separate workers compensation statutes. This may include railroad workers and longshoremen, for example. Federal workers are another example of employees who are covered by separate workers compensation statutes. All workers must meet one of the above exceptions or the employer is required to cover their workers with PA workers compensation insurance.
PA Workers Compensation Insurance Laws Benefit All Employees
Most people who work in Pennsylvania qualify for PA workers compensation insurance. It does not matter if workers are full time or part time, permanent or temporary, even seasonal employees who work less than 30 hours per week qualify for PA workers compensation insurance. PA workers compensation insurance is available to most and there to benefit all.
