When you are injured at work, it’s natural to wonder if you are covered. Will you receive benefits from your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance, or will you need to handle the bills out of pocket?
If this is your concern, here is what to know:
Is your employer required to carry worker’s compensation insurance?
In Wisconsin, an employer meets the requirements for carrying worker’s compensation insurance if they:
- Employ three or more full-time or part-time employees. This employer must get insurance on the day they employ the third employee.
- Employ one or more full-time or part-time employees to whom they pay combined gross wages of $500 or more in any calendar quarter. This employer must get insurance by the 10th day of the first month of the next calendar quarter.
- Are a farmer who employs six or more workers on the same day for any 20 days during the calendar year (January through December). This employer must obtain coverage by the10th day after the 20th day of employment.
- Are an out-of-state employer with employees working in Wisconsin. This employer must purchase a policy with an insurance company licensed in Wisconsin.
If you are injured as an employee in any of these employment circumstances, you are likely covered by your employer’s worker’s compensation insurance.
Is the injury work-related?
You will only be covered by worker’s ’ comp if you sustain a work-related injury or contract an occupational illness in the course of your employment. Thus, it’s crucial to gather enough evidence and report immediately after an accident or when you realize the injury is work-related. This helps you link the injury or illness to your work.
Nearly all public and private employees in Wisconsin are covered by worker’s compensation insurance. Learn more about your case to make informed decisions from the get-go.