Who Needs Workers' Compensation Insurance?
A barn worker, while driving to the feed store to pick up a load of grain, is injured in an auto accident. A stable employee gets kicked in the head while pasturing a horse. Both have huge medical bills, and it will be months before either can return to work. This article generally explores the law of workers' compensation.
What is Workers' Compensation?
Generally speaking, when employees are injured, ill, or die in the course of employment, they -- or their families or dependents -- are often entitled to collect workers' compensation benefits. The entitlement is virtually automatic, as long as the worker qualifies as an employee and experiences an on-the-job injury. Workers' compensation laws were enacted to reduce court delays, encourage safety, and to give injured employees a reliable source of income and benefits, regardless of who was at fault in causing the injury. All 50 states and the federal government now have some type of workers' compensation law.
In the workers' compensation system, employees receive benefits regardless of who caused the accident. This means that the barn worker who was kicked in the head while trying to pasture a horse, even if his own negligence and inattentiveness helped cause the injury, could potentially recover benefits.
What Does Workers' Compensation Cover?
Workers' compensation benefits vary depending on the severity of the injury. They can include reimbursement for medical expenses, doctor bills, hospital stays, and rehabilitation costs. Benefits can also include reimbursement for a certain amount of the worker’s lost income. Should a worker die, the laws provide certain benefits to his or her spouse and certain dependents (such as the worker’s children). Losses, such as "pain and suffering," are generally not recoverable through workers' compensation. However, the injured worker might seek to recover them from others who may be responsible for the injury through a separate legal action. (For example, maybe a defective machine was at fault.)
Disputes or appeals involving the amount of workers' compensation benefits, or the denial of benefits, are usually directed to an administrative body, often called the workers' compensation appeals board. Decisions of that board can be appealed further.
Who Qualifies?
Workers' compensation benefits are only available to "employees" (as defined in the applicable state law) who suffer illnesses, injuries, or death arising "out of and in the course of employment." In the example at the beginning of this article, both the injured driver and stable worker would likely have claims.
Do You Need Workers' Compensation Insurance?
Many state laws require all employers to purchase workers' compensation insurance unless the employer falls within certain categories of exemptions. Some exemptions, for example, could apply to farm workers (but read the applicable law very carefully -- stables might not qualify). Other exemptions can include volunteers, family members who help others for free, and those who work for certain non-profit organizations.
Who Pays?
Employers are solely responsible for paying for workers' compensation insurance, unless they legally qualify as "self-insured." Employers cannot recoup the cost of insurance from their workers; consequently, payroll deductions to finance insurance premiums would be unlawful.
What Happens With Uninsured Employers?
Employers who are legally required to have workers' compensation insurance but fail to purchase it and do not qualify as "self-insured by law" usually can be sued through the court system. There, if the employer was found to be negligent, and if that negligence directly caused a worker's injury, the employer would be liable for the injuries. State laws, that differ nationwide, might even impose extra penalties on uninsured employers.
If you have any questions about workers' compensation, please let me know.
Categories: Insurance, Liability
Julie Fershtman is considered to be one of the nation's leading attorneys in the field of equine law. She has successfully tried equine cases before juries in four states. A frequent author and speaker on legal issues, she has written over 400 published articles, four books, and has lectured at seminars, conventions, and conferences in 29 states on issues involving law, liability, risk management, and insurance. For more information, please also visit www.fershtmanlaw.com and www.equinelaw.net, and www.equinelaw.info.
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"Julie Fershtman is considered by many to be the nation's leading expert on equine activity liability acts. Her 30-minute presentation for a recent educational webinar on equine activity liability acts for the American Horse Council is available for viewing. Please take a look, here's a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCROISSPMJs
Fershtman’s Equine Law Book Wins Fourth National Award
Julie Fershtman’s latest book, Equine Law and Horse Sense, won its fourth national award on May 31, 2021. It was selected to receive a "Finalist" Medal in the 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.
The 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards are presented by Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group, which is the largest International awards program for indie authors and independent publishers. Here’s a link for the complete list of 2021 winners and finalists: https://www.indiebookawards.com/winners.php?year=2021
Fershtman’s Equine Law Book Receives Third National Award
Julie Fershtman’s book, Equine Law & Horse Sense, published by the American Bar Association, has been selected to receive a 2020 NYC Big Book Award in the category of “Reference” books.
The NYC Big Book Awards draws nominations world-wide. This is the third award for Fershtman’s book since its publication last year. Here is a link for more information, and to see the list of winners: https://www.nycbigbookaward.com/2020winners
Information on the book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/164105493X/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i0
Equine Blog Ranked in Feedspot
Foster Swift's Equine Law Blog was ranked #8 in Feedspot.com's "15 Best Equine Law Blogs and Websites".
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Upcoming Speaking Engagements
In 2022, Julie Fershtman is scheduled to be a speaker on equine liability at these conventions:
- American Horse Council Annual Meeting and National Issues Forum, Washington D.C. - June 6, 2022
- National Conference on Equine Law, Lexington, Kentucky – May 4, 2022
- IRMI Agribusiness Conference (“AgriCon”), Sacramento, California – March 8, 2022
- New York State Bar Association Equine Law Symposium (virtual conference) – February 9, 2022
Fershtman’s Equine Law Book Receives Second National Award
Julie Fershtman’s book, Equine Law & Horse Sense, published by the American Bar Association, has been selected to receive a 2020 NYC Big Book Award in the category of “Reference” books.
The NYC Big Book Awards draws nominations world-wide. This is the third award for Fershtman’s book since its publication last year. Here is a link for more information, and to see the list of winners: https://www.nycbigbookaward.com/2020winners
Information on the book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/164105493X/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i0
Honors & Recognitions
Equine lawyer, Julie Fershtman, has received these prestigious equine industry awards from respected equine organizations:
"Excellence in the Advancement of Animal Law Award" - American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Law Section Animal Law Committee
"Distinguished Service Award" - American Youth Horse Council
"Industry Service Award" - Michigan Equine Partnership
"Catalyst Award"- Michigan Horse Council
"Outstanding Achievement Award" - American Riding Instructors Association
"Partner in Safety Award" - American Riding Instructors Association
"Associate Service Award" - United Professional Horseman's Association
"National Partnership in Safety" Award" - Certified Horsemanship Association
Some of our Equine Law Services
Handling breach of contract, fraud/ misrepresentation, commercial code, and other claims involving equine-related transactions including purchases/sales, leases, mare leases/foal transfers, and partnerships.
Litigating a wide variety of equine-related disputes in court or through alternative dispute resolution (arbitration, mediation, facilitation).
Defending equine/farm/equestrian industry professionals, businesses, and associations in personal injury claims and lawsuits.
Drafting and negotiating contracts for boarding, training, sales, waivers/releases, leases, and numerous other equine-related transactions.
Representing and advising insurers on coverage and policy language as well as litigation;
Advising equine industry clubs and associations regarding management, rules, bylaws, disputes, and regulations.
Representing some of the equine industry's top trainers, competitors, stables, and associations.
Counseling industry professionals, stable managers, and individual horse owners.
THE NATION'S MOST SOUGHT-AFTER EQUINE LAW SPEAKER
Did you know Julie Fershtman has spoken at the American Horse Council Annual Meeting, Equine Affaire, US Hunter/Jumper Association Annual Meeting, Midwest Horse Fair, Equitana USA, US Dressage Federation Annual Meeting, North American Riding for the Handicapped (now PATH International) Annual Meeting, American Paint Horse Association Annual Meeting, US Pony Clubs, Inc.'s Annual Meeting, All-American Quarter Horse Congress, American Youth Horse Council Annual Meeting, American Riding Instructors Association Annual Meeting, CHA Annual Meeting, and numerous others? Consider signing her up for your convention. Contact Julie directly.
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