Click here to subscribe to our Bowles Law e-letter
Click here to subscribe to our Bowles Law e-letter
California businesses must carry workers’ compensation insurance for every employee, even just one. Group or personal health insurance is not a substitute.
Workers’ compensation is oldest social insurance program in the U.S., adopted by most states in early part of the 20th century. The coverage is intended to ensure employees receive swift and sufficient medical treatment for on-the-job injuries and job-related illnesses. It is a “no-fault” insurance, i.e., it does not matter whether the employment-related accident or sickness was the due to the employee’s inattention, an unsafe workplace condition, or an act of God, the coverage applies.
Workers’ comp insurance provides six basic benefits: medical care, temporary disability benefits, permanent disability benefits, supplemental job displacement benefits, vocational rehabilitation, and death benefits.
Non-California employers may need to carry workers’ compensation for workers who are regularly employed in California or whom entered an employment contract here.
An employer may purchase workers’ compensation insurance from any of the privately licensed insurers authorized to write policies in California. A list of authorized insurers can be found on the California Department of Insurance website.
If you are a business owner or manager with questions about the legal requirements of workers’ compensation, contact an experienced employment law attorney.
Additional Resources:
Employer Rights Blog Article (Dec 30, 2010): “New Workers’ Compensation Regulations in California”
California Division of Workers’ Compensation homepage
California Division of Workers’ Compensation FAQ
Photo: The Library of Congress
If you are an employer facing possible litigation, or have an employee issue on which you need immediate guidance, call us to set up a consultation, or submit your message.
NOTE: Use of this website does not make one a client of the Law Offices of Timothy Bowles (“Firm” or “Bowles Law”). Establishing an attorney-client relationship and the confidentiality that comes with it depends on the Firm’s prior confirmation that no factor, including any conflict of interest (for example, our representation of another party adverse to you), exists to prevent that establishment. If you have confidential information that you would like to provide a Bowles Law attorney, please communicate directly to one of our attorneys, in person, by telephone, email, fax or other written means. Do not use this website to offer or communicate confidential information about any legal matter.