The Ultimate Guide to Workers Compensation Insurance Requirements by State
Workers compensation insurance requirements are different for each state. Use this interactive map to learn more about the requirements in your state.
Written by Embroker TeamPublished September 16, 2024
One of the most important types of business insurance, workers compensation insurance is
coverage that just about every business will need to buy. If one of your employees is injured on the job or
experiences a work-related illness, workers compensation insurance will pay for the employee’s medical bills and
a percentage of their weekly wage, among other things.
In order to receive workers compensation benefits, your injured employees give up their right to file a claim
against your business related to their injury. However, there are cases in which employees will give up these
benefits and file a workers compensation
claim if they believe that they can win the case.
This usually occurs when employees believe that their injuries were the result of gross negligence or
intentional harm on the part of their employers. If such a claim arises, employer’s liability coverage, which is
usually built into the workers compensation policy, should cover the costs of the business’s legal defense.
Does Your Business Need Workers Compensation?
The answer to this question is almost always “yes.” Most employers are required by law to purchase workers
compensation. In fact, every single U.S. state but Texas mandates that companies purchase workers compensation
coverage.
Even if you’re a sole proprietor or self-employed and don’t have any employees as a part of your business model,
best practice is to check with the state in which your business operates to make sure that you are compliant.
Some states will allow sole proprietors to opt out of coverage or self-insure.
And while it's true that a vast majority of businesses must purchase this coverage, rules regarding how much
you'll pay, which type of workers don't need coverage, and what the fines are for not having coverage vary
considerably from state to state.
As you continue reading this piece, you’ll notice that almost every question you ask related to workers
compensation coverage, in order to be answered conclusively, needs to be further investigated on an
individual basis by researching the specific regulations that your state mandates for workers compensation
insurance.
How to Buy Workers Compensation Insurance
Essentially, there are three ways in which you can buy workers compensation insurance—three sources from which a
policy can be purchased. Let’s take a look at what they are:
Private Insurance Carriers
Almost every state provides businesses with the option of working with private insurance carriers in order to
buy workers compensation coverage. Many businesses prefer this route because it allows them to consolidate their
insurance programs in one spot.
Instead of buying workers compensation from a state fund and the rest of their policies from private insurance
carriers, many prefer to buy all their business insurance
policies from a singular source, so that they can manage all their policies and renewals more easily.
Competitive State Funds
Many states have their own funds that are set up to enable companies to purchase workers compensation directly
from the state. If your business operates in a high-risk industry or it has a history of workers compensation
claims, a state fund might be your best bet if private carriers are either turning you down or offering
incredibly expensive premiums because of your specific situation and increased risk.
It’s also important to note that not every competitive state fund is directly administered by the state. Some
are private insurance carriers that are working with the state in order to provide coverage for riskier
businesses that private carriers won’t insure on their own. Essentially, the state shares the insurable risk with the private carrier in order to
provide coverage for higher-risk businesses.
Some states, South Carolina and Alaska for example, offer an assigned risk pool for high-risk businesses that is
administered by the National Council
on Compensation Insurance (NCCI).
Here’s a list of states that offer competitive state funds with links to the corresponding insurers:
There are four states that do not allow businesses to purchase workers compensation coverage from private
insurance carriers—North
Dakota, Ohio, Washington, and Wyoming. These are known as monopolistic workers compensation states because
businesses operating in these states can only buy their coverage from the state fund.
This means that businesses in these states can’t shop around to find the best premiums for their coverage. It
also means that businesses can’t purchase employer’s liability coverage along with their workers compensation
either and must purchase additional coverage to cover that gap.
Providing Coverage for Out-of-State Employees
Again, this is a question that can’t be answered generally. Businesses that have employees working in other
states should carefully research state requirements. In some states, you’ll have to buy additional coverage for
out-of-state workers, in others you won’t.
For example, if you have employees who are working in a monopolistic state but you’ve purchased your policy from
a private carrier in your own state, you might have to purchase a separate policy for your distributed
employees.
Obviously, if your business is located in Texas where workers comp coverage is not mandated and you have remote workers in
other states in which workers compensation is mandatory coverage, you are going to have to purchase coverage for
your staff located outside of Texas at the very least.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Since purchasing workers compensation is mandated in every state but Texas, that means businesses that don’t
operate in Texas and choose not to purchase this coverage can face significant fines and sanctions. As with
almost everything else related to workers compensation, the severity of the penalties for noncompliance varies
from state to state.
However, there are several determining factors that will usually influence how much you are going to have to pay
in fines for noncompliance, including:
Why you’re not in compliance: If you’re purposely withholding or misrepresenting information
such as the type of jobs your employees perform and the number of people you employ, there’s a good chance that
you are going to be paying a lot more than if your noncompliance was in some way accidental or inadvertent.
How long you haven’t been in compliance: Most states will have a rate that they will charge for
each day that your business is noncompliant.
Size of your staff: This once again depends from state to state and is not a rule of thumb, but
the smaller your business is and the fewer employees you have, the lighter your fines for noncompliance will
usually be.
In any case and for whatever reason, workers compensation noncompliance can cost your business a lot of money
and in more severe cases, someone from your management could be facing jail time.
A State-by-State Look at Workers Compensation Requirements
While there are obviously similarities from state to state related to rules and regulations regarding workers
compensation coverage and how to purchase it, it’s important for every business to strictly follow the
guidelines that their state provides.
Every state sets its own requirements regarding which workers should be covered by workers compensation and
which types of workers are exempt.
To get the freshest and most accurate information, however, your best bet would be to contact your
state’s official department of workers compensation, which the US Department of Labor's directory outlines.
We've done our best to provide you with some of the most important workers comp requirements for businesses on a
state-by-state basis at a quick glance. To get an idea of what your state's workers compensation insurance
regulations look like, find your state on the map and click on it to view the general information we have
compiled.
Alabama
Is Workers Compensation Mandated?
Yes. Every business in Alabama with five or more employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Domestic servants
Farm laborers
Casual employees
Those working for a business with fewer than five people
Licensed real estate brokers
Product demonstrators
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from the Alabama
Assigned Risk Pool if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier. Alabama
employers can also self-insure, meaning they can pay their own workers compensation claims instead of submitting
them to an insurance company.
To qualify for self-insurance, the business must have a net worth of at least $5 million, positive income over
the last three years, and an assets/liabilities ratio of one or greater.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses could be fined $1,000 per employee for each day they fail to provide coverage. Criminal penalties
could result in jail time as well. They can also be ordered to close the business until they come into
compliance.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits amounting to no more than 75% of the deceased employee’s
average weekly wages, which can’t exceed the average weekly wage across the state. They can receive benefits for
no longer than 500 weeks.
Eligible family members can also receive a lump-sum payment for funeral expenses, as long as the worker died no
longer than four years from the date of the injury.
Yes. Every business in Alaska with one or more employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Part-time babysitters
Domestic servants
Harvest and similar non-permanent help
Contracted entertainers
Statutorily-defined taxi cab drivers
Statutorily-defined commercial fishermen
Non-commercial cleaning employees
Sports officials working amateur events
Entertainers working under contract
Professional hockey team players and coaches with health insurance
Real estate agents working under contract
Transportation company drivers
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from competitive
state funds if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses could be fined $1,000 per employee for each day they fail to provide coverage. Criminal penalties
could result in fines of $10,000 and one year of jail time.
They can also be ordered to close the business until they come into compliance, can be barred from pursuing job
contracts in-state, and held liable to pay all benefits for injured employees who should have been covered by
insurance.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive weekly death benefits that must equal the deceased employee’s compensation
rate for total disability.
Eligible family members can also receive a lump-sum payment of $10,000 for funeral expenses and $5,000 for the
employee’s surviving spouse and/or children.
Yes. Every business in Arizona with employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Casual employees
Domestic servants
Independent contractors
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from a competitive
state fund if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Workers compensation insurance in Arizona is regulated by the Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA), who can
penalize businesses that do not comply. Businesses that do not have the right insurance can face penalties from
$1,000 up to $10,000.
If a business does not have workers compensation insurance and is sued by an injured worker, the ICA will pay
the benefits and then charge the business for reimbursement along with a penalty of either 10% of the benefits
paid or $1,000, whichever is greater.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive benefits that equal 67% of the deceased employee’s average monthly wage.
Eligible family members can also receive a lump-sum payment of $5,000 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in Arkansas with at least three employees must obtain coverage. If you are in a high-risk
industry, such as construction, then your business will have to carry workers compensation even if you have less
than three employees.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Agricultural farm laborers
Real estate agents
Religious, charitable, non-profit organizations
State employees
Casual employees
Inmates
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private insurance carriers.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to purchase workers compensation will pay fines to the state and will lose the protection
provided by the Arkansas Workers Compensation Commission.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive benefits that equal 67% of the deceased employee’s average weekly wage.
Yes. Every business in California with one or more employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Domestic employees employed by family members
Deputy sheriffs or clerks
Anyone performing services in return for aid or sustenance only
Anyone officiating amateur sporting events
Volunteers at non-profit recreational camps
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from competitive
state funds if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Failure to carry workers compensation is a criminal offense and your business will be ordered to stop working if
your employees are not insured. If your business violates the stop order, it can be fined $10,000 or more. This
violation can also lead to a year of jail time.
Penalties assessed by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement in California could cost your business double
what it would have cost to pay your workers compensation premiums or $1,500 per employee.
If you do not have workers comp and one of your employees is injured on the job, your business could face a
penalty of $10,000 per employee if the case is compensable and $2,000 if the case was found to be
non-compensable, with a maximum penalty of $100,000.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits. One dependent can receive up to $250,000, two or more up to
$290,000, three or more up to $320,000 in eight annual installments.
Eligible family members can also receive a lump-sum payment for funeral expenses of up to $10,000.
Providers of residential host-home services or support
Railroad employees not covered under federal law
Independent contractors
Inmates
Volunteers
Drivers under a lease agreement with a common carrier
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from competitive
state funds if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier.
Penalties for Noncompliance
If it is determined that your business does not carry the proper workers compensation insurance, the Division of
Workers Compensation can issue a cease and desist order, requiring your business to stop all operations until
the proper insurance policy has been procured.
Fines can go up to $250 for every day without workers compensation and if there are multiple violations, up to
$500 per day.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits equal to 67% of the deceased worker’s average weekly wages.
Spouses receive benefits for life or until they remarry and children would receive benefits until the age of 18.
Eligible family members can also receive a lump-sum payment of $7,000 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in Connecticut with one or more employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Sole proprietors
Business partners
Independent contractors
Part-time employees (26 hours per week or less)
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private insurance carriers.
Penalties for Noncompliance
If your company does not carry the proper workers compensation insurance, the Connecticut Workers Compensation
Commission will issue a stop-work order until your insurance is paid and will impose a $300 per worker per day
fine.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits. The amount is based on a portion of the average weekly
earnings of the deceased, according to a complicated formula that provides for yearly cost-of-living increases.
Eligible family members can also receive a lump-sum payment of $4,000 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in Delaware with one or more employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
A spouse and minor children of a farm employer not named in an endorsement to the farm employer’s
contract of insurance
Sole proprietors
Low-earning agricultural and domestic workers
Real estate sales professionals
Government employees
Independent contractors
Part-time employees (26 hours per week or less)
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private insurance carriers.
Penalties for Noncompliance
If you fail to provide workers compensation insurance, you may be fined three times the amount equal to the
insurance premium you should have paid for one year.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits. If the deceased worker provided for 100% of a family’s
income, then the weekly death benefit would be 100% of the worker’s weekly pay. Death benefits are available for
a minimum of five years and a maximum of 12 years.
Eligible family members can also receive a lump-sum payment of $7,000 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in Washington D.C. with employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Employees whose employer is an uninsured subcontractor can assert a claim against the general contractor
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private insurance carriers.
Penalties for Noncompliance
If you fail to provide workers compensation insurance, your business could be fined between $1,000 and $10,000.
Business leaders can also be held personally liable for injuries occurring while the business was not properly
insured.
Continuous violations of the workers comp laws could result in misdemeanor charges, fines, or imprisonment for
up to one year.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits if the employee dies of a work-related injury within one year
of the incident occurring or within five years of disability stemming from the injury.
The deceased’s family can receive 50% of the worker’s average weekly wage if there are no children and an
additional 17% for each child up to a maximum of 67% of the deceased workers wages.
Eligible family members can also receive a lump-sum payment of up to $5,000 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in Florida with four or more employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Independent contractors (all but construction workers)
Licensed real estate brokers
Musicians and theatrical performers
Part-time employees
Volunteers (most)
Some vehicle-for-hire drivers
Some sports officials
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private insurance carriers.
Penalties for Noncompliance
If you fail to provide workers compensation insurance, your business will be subject to a stop-work order that
requires all operations to stop until compliance and all penalties are paid.
The penalty fee is typically two times the amount the business would have to have paid in premium for the last
two years.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits if the employee dies of a work-related injury within one year
of the incident occurring or within five years of disability stemming from the injury.
The deceased’s family can receive up to $150,000 in compensation benefits paid at up to 66.67% of the deceased’s
weekly wage.
Eligible family members can also receive a lump-sum payment of up to $7,500 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in Georgia with three or more employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Railroad workers engaged in interstate or intrastate commerce
Farm laborers
Domestic servants
Licensed real estate agents or associate brokers
Independent contractors
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private insurance carriers.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Both criminal and civil penalties could apply to businesses in Georgia that do not carry workers compensation
insurance. If an employee is injured and the business does not provide workers comp, the employer will have to
compensate the injured worker by covering all of the expenses that workers compensation insurance would have
covered, including legal fees, civil penalties, all medical expenses, and a 10% in compensation.
Civil penalties range between $100 and $1,000 per violation for those who violate workers compensation
regulations. Failure to provide coverage can cost between $500 and $5,000 per violation.
Employers who willfully do not option insurance for their employees can be found guilty of a misdemeanor,
punishable by a fine of between $1,000 and 10,000 or up to a year in jail time.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits totaling up to $150,000 and are paid until age 65 or after
400 weeks of payments, whichever yields the larger amount.
Eligible family members can also receive a lump-sum payment of up to $7,500 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in Hawaii with employees must obtain coverage, no matter whether the employees are full-time
or part-time workers.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Voluntary or unpaid nonprofit organization workers
Students working in exchange for room, board, or tuition
Authorized ministers, priests, or rabbis
Domestic workers
Real estate salespersons and brokers
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private insurance carriers.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses in Hawaii that fail to carry workers compensation insurance can face fines of up to $100 per employee
per day and leave themselves open to employee lawsuits related to workplace injuries.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits up to 67% of the injured worker’s average weekly wages and
are eligible to receive compensation for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in Idaho with one or more employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Domestic workers
Pilots flying in agriculture
Real estate brokers and real estate salesmen
Volunteer ski patrollers
Officials secondary school sports events
Employees covered under federal workers compensation
Outworkers
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from competitive
state funds if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that do not obtain the proper coverage can be held liable for employee injuries and all of the
benefits that would have been provided by workers compensation insurance. They can also face an additional 10%
penalty for medical coverage, wage loss benefits, and the injured worker’s legal fees.
Businesses also face fines of either $2 per employee per day or $25 per day, whichever is greater, for the
entire period of noncompliance. Criminal misdemeanor penalties are possible as well.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits for up to 500 weeks. Spouses receive benefits until they
remarry and up to three dependent children can receive benefits until the age of 18.
If the death occurred within four years of the injury, some funeral expenses can be covered as well.
Yes. Every business in Illinois with employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Real estate brokers
Farmers
Jurors
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private insurance carriers.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses can be fined $500 per day for every day of noncompliance. If failure to carry insurance is found to
be negligent, it is considered a misdemeanor in Illinois and a felony if knowing and willful.
A felony conviction can lead to up to three years of jail time and fines of up to $25,000.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits up to a total of $500,000 or 25 years.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum payment for funeral expenses of $8,000.
Yes. Every business in Indiana with employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Railroad workers
Employees of fire or police departments
Casual laborers
Farm or agricultural employees
Household employees
Seamen, Longshoremen with access to federal alternatives
Real estate employees
Independent contractors
Athletes on scholarship
Prison inmates
Reserve police officers
Volunteers
Youth sports team coaches
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from the Indiana
Assigned Risk Pool if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier. Indiana
employers can also self-insure, meaning they can pay their own workers compensation claims instead of submitting
them to an insurance company.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Uninsured businesses can face civil and criminal liability in Indiana. Civil penalties can cost uninsured
employers up to $50 per day per employee and can be issued a stop-work order until compliance and all penalties
have been paid.
Since failure to insure is a crime in Indiana, employers who willfully do not obtain coverage can be charged
with a misdemeanor and face up to one year or prison time and a fine of up to $5,000.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits equalling two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage paid
for up to 500 weeks.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum payment for funeral expenses of $7,500.
Yes. Every business in Iowa with employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Household employees earning less than $1,500 during 12 months before an injury
Casual employees earning less than $1,500 during 12 months before an injury
Agricultural employees where the employer’s nonexempt cash payroll is less than $2,500 for the preceding
calendar year
Relatives of farm employer and employer’s spouse
Some corporate officers
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from the Iowa
Assigned Risk Pool if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier. Iowa
employers can also self-insure, meaning they can pay their own workers compensation claims instead of submitting
them to an insurance company.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to maintain workers comp insurance or to pay required benefits their self-insurance account
can face civil penalties of up to $1,000, awards to the injured employee of up to 50% of additional benefits for
denying weekly benefits, and the revocation of self-insurance privileges.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits equalling 80% of the deceased worker’s average weekly
after-tax pay.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum payment for funeral expenses worth up to 12 times the average
weekly pay of the deceased worker.
Yes. Every business in Kansas with employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Businesses with a payroll of $20,000 or less
Some agricultural workers
Realtors working as independent contractors
Firefighters belonging to a relief association that has waived coverage
Owner-operator vehicle drivers (e.g., freight truckers) who have their own occupational accident
insurance
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from the Kansas
Assigned Risk Pool if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier. Kansas
employers can also self-insure, meaning they can pay their own workers compensation claims instead of submitting
them to an insurance company.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that do not maintain workers compensation insurance can face civil penalties of twice their workers
compensation premium or $25,000, whichever is greater.
The state can also shut down any business that fails to provide coverage.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive weekly death benefits based on 67% of the deceased worker’s average weekly
wage. Total benefits may not exceed $300,000 unless the benefits are going to a child under the age of 18. The
initial payment made by the state will be $40,000.
The state will pay funeral expenses up to $5,000 and all medical bills related to the fatal accident.
Yes. Every business in Kentucky with one or more employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Domestic servants, if there are less than two regularly employed in a private home for 40 hours or less
per week
Maintenance, repair and similar employees employed in a private home
Agricultural businesses
Railroad, maritime workers covered under federal workers compensation programs
Certain religious organizations
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from the state’s
assigned risk residual market if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier.
Kentucky employers can also self-insure, meaning they can pay their own workers compensation claims instead of
submitting them to an insurance company.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses operating without workers compensation insurance can be fined $1,000 per employee, per day in which
the business fails to provide mandated coverage. The business can also be shut down until it comes into
compliance.
Willfully failing to comply can lead to criminal penalties and jail time.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive weekly death benefits of up to 75% of the deceased worker’s average weekly
wage, for no longer than 500 weeks.
The state will pay a lump-sum for funeral expenses calculated based on Kentucky’s average weekly wage, as long
as the worker died no more than four years after the date of the injury.
Yes. Every business in Louisiana with at least one employee must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Household employees and workers of private unincorporated farms
Musicians and performers
Real estate salespeople
Nonprofit volunteers
Some public officials
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from competitive
state funds if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses operating without workers compensation insurance can be fined up to $250 per employee for the initial
violation and $500 per employee for every next violation, up to $10,000 total.
Employers can also face criminal penalties and jail time if they are found to be in willful violation of workers
compensation laws and regulations. A work-stop order can also be issued for all businesses that fail to carry
workers compensation insurance until the proper coverage is secured.
Death Benefits
A surviving spouse or surviving child individually can receive 32.5% of the deceased worker’s average weekly
wage. A spouse and child can receive 46.25%. A dependent sibling can receive 32.5%, with 11% for each additional
sibling up to 65%.
If there are no dependents, adult children will receive $75,000 to split among them.
Eligible family members can also receive a lump-sum payment of $8,500 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in Maine with at least one employee must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Independent contractors
Maritime employees covered under admiralty law
Seasonal or casual Agriculture or aquaculture workers
Domestic workers
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from competitive
state funds if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses without workers compensation insurance may be liable for medical and death benefits. They can also be
charged with a Class D crime, penalized up to $10,000 or 108% of the premium they would have paid for the
insurance, whichever is greater.
They can also lose their business licenses and/or corporate charter.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can get weekly death benefits amounting to two-thirds of the deceased employee’s average
weekly wages, which can’t exceed the state’s average weekly wage, and can receive benefits for no longer than
500 weeks.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum of $4,000 for funeral expenses along with incidental expenses of
$3,000 to the deceased worker’s estate.
Yes. Every business in Maryland with at least one employee must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Some agricultural employees
Independent contractors
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from competitive
state funds if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier.
Penalties for Noncompliance
A business that fails to maintain the workers comp insurance will be fined up to $10,000 and the officers of the
company would be liable for the cost.
It is also a misdemeanor in Maryland to deduct workers compensation costs from worker wages.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive two-thirds of the deceased worker’s average weekly wage as death benefits.
If the deceased provided 70% of the household income, dependents would receive 70% of two-thirds of their
average weekly wage.
Death benefits are available for a maximum of 12 years.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum of $7,000 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in Massachusetts with at least one employee must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Workers on vessels engaged in interstate or foreign commerce
Those working in organized, professional athletics
Real estate brokers
Independent contractors
Commission only salespeople
Persons employed by an employer engaged in interstate or international commerce
Casual workers
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private insurance carriers.
Penalties for Noncompliance
If a business does not carry workers compensation insurance, the state can issue a stop-work order and the
business can face fines of $100 per day, weekends, and holidays included until they procure insurance and pay
the fine.
If the business appeals the state's stop-work order, they can remain open, but the fine then increases to $250
per day.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members will receive death benefits calculated on the basis of the deceased worker's pre-injury
weekly pay, equaling 66% of the deceased worker’s average weekly wage, but not exceeding the state average
weekly wage.
Funeral and burial costs will also be covered.
Yes. Every business in Michigan with three or more employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Smaller employers
Some agricultural employees and domestic workers
Real estate brokers
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private insurance carriers.
Penalties for Noncompliance
If a business does not have the correct workers compensation coverage, the state file a court order to prohibit
the company from hiring new employees until the right coverage is secured.
The business can be fined $1,000 or face jail time, in between 30 days and six months. Employees can also take
legal action in civil court against the business.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive a combined 80% of the deceased worker’s average weekly wage for up to 500
weeks. If the beneficiary is a minor, then they can receive benefits until the age of 21.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum of $6,000 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in Minnesota with employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Farmers
Domestic workers
Casual workers
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from a competitive
state fund if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier.
Penalties for Noncompliance
If a business fails to meet workers comp requirements, the state can prohibit the company from hiring until the
proper coverage is secured. Businesses can also be ordered to pay fines of up to $1,000 per employee, per week.
If an employee suffers an injury at a time during which insurance was not provided, the business could be
ordered to pay back all workers compensation benefits to the state with an added penalty equaling 65% of the
benefits.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive benefits equal to no more than 67% of the deceased employee’s average weekly
wage.
Funeral and burial costs will also be covered.
Yes. Every business in Mississippi with at least five employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Independent contractors
Domestic workers
Farm laborers
Employees of nonprofit organizations
Federal workers
Transportation and maritime employees covered by federal insurance
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private insurance carriers.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to provide workers comp insurance can be fined up to $1,000 and face up to a year of jail
time.
Employers could also be forced to pay benefits for injured employees themselves.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive benefits based on a certain percentage of a deceased worker’s average weekly
wage. These benefits will be paid at least every 14 days, for as long as 450 weeks after the death. Surviving
spouses can also receive a lump-sum of $1,000.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum of $5,000 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in Missouri with at least five employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Leased truck operators in interstate commerce
Farmworkers
Domestic servants
Family chauffeurs
Licensed real estate agents
Inmates
Volunteers
Sports officials
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from a competitive
state fund if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance can be charged with a misdemeanor and
can face a penalty of three times the insurance premium that should have been paid, up to $50,000, if found
guilty.
The business would also be responsible for paying for the medical expenses of injured employees. If it is
discovered that the business does not have coverage a second time, they could be charged with a felony.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive benefits that will not be more than 67% of the deceased employee’s average
weekly wage.
Benefits will continue until the surviving spouse dies or gets remarried. If the spouse remarries, they will get
a final lump-sum payment equal to two years of benefit payments.
Funeral and burial costs will also be covered.
A majority of businesses in Montana must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Domestic servants
Casual workers
Dependent member of the employer’s family
Sole proprietors
Real estate brokers
Certain officials at athletic events
Freelance photographers and authors
Newspaper carriers
Cosmetologist or barbers
Jockeys
Ordained ministers
Officer or manager of a ditch company
Persons working for enrolled tribal members who operate solely within the boundaries reservations
Petroleum land workers
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from competitive
state funds if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance could be forced to pay double the amount
of what they would have paid in premium.
The minimum such penalty is $200.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive benefits based on a percentage of the deceased worker's average weekly wage,
and not exceeding 66.67% of the worker's average weekly wage.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum of $4,000 for funeral expenses.
A majority of businesses in Nebraska must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Domestic servants
Agricultural employees
Railroad workers employed by companies engaged in interstate or foreign commerce
Federal employees
Most volunteers
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private insurance carriers.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance could face a civil fine of up to $1,000
for each violation. Each day of noncompliance is treated as its own violation.
A company’s right to do business in the state could also be revoked and company leaders could face jail time of
up to a year.
If an injured employee sues for damages in district court, the business will lose its common law defenses for
the trial as well.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive benefits equal to two-thirds of the worker’s former pay.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum of $6,000 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in Nevada with employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Casual employees
Theatrical or stager performers
Musicians whose services do not last more than two consecutive days
Domestic workers
Voluntary ski patrol
Sports officials paid a nominal fee
Any member of the clergy
Real estate brokers
Direct salespersons working on commission
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private insurance carriers.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance could be charged a fine up to $15,000 in
addition to premium penalties. They could also face a stop-work order until insurance is obtained.
The business would also be financially liable for any injuries that happen during the period when their
employees are uninsured. The business owner could be held criminally responsible if a work-related injury
results in substantial bodily harm or death.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive benefits equal to 66% of the worker’s average monthly wage.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum of $10,000 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in New Hampshire with employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Railroad workers engaged in interstate commerce
Direct sellers
Real estate brokers and appraisers
Service providers for individuals with developmental, acquired, or emotional disabilities
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private insurance carriers.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance may be liable for a one-time fine of
$2,500 and a fine of $100 per employee, per day without coverage.
The state may also suspend the company from conducting business in New Hampshire until compliant.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive weekly compensation.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum of $10,000 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in New Jersey with employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Independent contractors
Domestic workers
A willfully negligent employee
Inmates
Casual workers
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private insurance carriers.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance can face financial penalties up to
$5,000 for the first 20 days of noncompliance and up to $5,000 for each 10-day period thereafter.
The penalties are delivered in the form of liens against the business, prosecuted through seizure of property.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits to cover approved medical bills and one dependent will
receive 50% of the deceased employee’s wages. The amount increases by 5% for every additional dependent up to a
maximum of 70%.
These benefits will be paid for up to 450 weeks.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum of $3,500 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in New Mexico with three employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Independent contractors
Domestic workers
A willfully negligent employee
Inmates
Casual workers
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from the New
Mexico Assigned Risk Pool if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier. New
Mexico employers can also self-insure, meaning they can pay their own workers compensation claims instead of
submitting them to an insurance company.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance can be shut down until they obtain the
proper coverage.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits of a maximum of the amount that the deceased worker would
have received in disability income benefits for 700 weeks.
Funeral and burial costs will also be covered.
Yes. Every business in New York with employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Domestic employees working less than 40 hours per week
Clergymen
Employees of municipalities not engaged in hazardous employment
Sanitation workers, firefighters and police officers in the employment of the City of New York
Babysitters and minors over the age of 14 engaged in casual employment
Longshoremen and harbor workers
Railroad employees
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from competitive
state funds if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance for five or fewer employees within a
one-year period can and can face fines of between $1,000 and $5,000.
If the business doesn’t provide coverage for more than five employees, it becomes a felony and fines increase to
$5,000-$50,000.
If the employee is convicted of failing to secure coverage twice in the span of five years, the fine would be
between $10,000 and $50,000 and could include other penalties.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits of up to 66.67% of the deceased worker’s average weekly wage.
If there are children, 36.6% goes to the spouse and 30% is split between all children.
Children stop receiving benefits at 18 or 23 if they are full-time students.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum of $6,000 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in North Carolina with three or more employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Casual workers
Independent contractors
Anyone engaged in an illegal enterprise
Real estate broker and agents
Board members
Newspaper deliveries
Railroad workers covered under federal policies
Domestic employees
Farm laborers
Commission-based sellers of agricultural products
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private insurance carriers.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance can face fines of one dollar per
employee per day, with a $50 per day minimum and a $100 per day maximum, regardless of the number of employees.
Willful violations could result in felony charges, while neglectful violations will be considered misdemeanors.
The business could also be held liable for the compensation owed to an injured worker and could face criminal
charges.
The business would also be responsible for medical treatment costs and wage loss benefits in the event of an
injury. There would also be no payment of defense costs by insurance if the employee was to sue the business.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits of up to two-thirds of the deceased worker’s average weekly
wage, payable for a minimum of 500 weeks.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum of $10,000 for funeral expenses.
A majority of businesses in North Dakota must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Owner, partner, corporate officer or spouse
Employer’s children under the age of 22
Certain licensed real estate brokers
Newspaper delivery personnel
Farm and ranch labor
Certain custom farm operations
Household domestic workers
Employees engaged in the operation of a place of worship
Federal and railroad employees
Purchasing a Policy
North Dakota uses a monopolistic state fund, meaning that there is no private insurance marketplace in the
state.
All employers, no matter how risky the industry, are guaranteed coverage under the state insurance program.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance will be liable to pay the premium for
all employees during the uninsured period. They can also be held liable for the cost of all claims that arise
during the uninsured period and can be sued by employees who are injured while uninsured.
The state can also issue a stop-work order for non-compliant businesses and will require businesses to pay a
one-time $10,000 penalty and an added $100 for every next day of noncompliance.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits equaling two-thirds of the deceased worker's weekly wage, up
to 110% of the state's average weekly wage.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum of $10,000 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in Ohio with three or more employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Domestic workers
Volunteers
Purchasing a Policy
Ohio uses a monopolistic state fund, meaning that there is no private insurance marketplace in the state.
All employers, no matter how risky the industry, are guaranteed coverage under the state insurance program.
Penalties for Noncompliance
The state sets a premium and sends every business a payment schedule. If a business allows coverage to lapse by
not making a payment on time results in a fine of 1% of the premium due.
Failure to pay the premium results in a $30 fee and a charge of up to 15% of the premium due, depending on how
late the payment is received.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits of up to 66.67% of the deceased worker’s average weekly wage.
If a dependent spouse was to remarry, he or she would receive two year’s worth of benefits in a single lump-sum.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum of $5,500 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in Oklahoma with employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Horticulture workers not using motorized machines
Licensed real estate brokers
Medical care or social services employees
Employers with less than five employees if they are all related by blood or marriage
Youth league employees if they are tax exempt
Sole proprietors
Volunteers
Domestic servants
Leased truck and tractor-trailer operators
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from the Oklahoma
Assigned Risk Pool if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier. Oklahoma
employers can also self-insure, meaning they can pay their own workers compensation claims instead of submitting
them to an insurance company.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance can face a $1,000 fine for each day
their employees are uninsured.
They can also be held liable for injured worker lawsuits and open to civil litigation. The state can also issue
a work-stop order that lasts until the business purchases coverage and pays all its penalties.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits. The state determines payments according to a predefined
schedule, with a combination of lump-sum payments, ongoing weekly benefits, and funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in Oregon with employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Inmates or wards of a state institution
Casual employees
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from competitive
state funds if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance can incur a penalty of twice the amount
of the premium that should have been paid, with a minimum fine of $1,000.
If the business remains non-compliant, additional penalties of $250 per day, without a limit, would ensue.
Failing to provide coverage for an extended period could lead to jail time.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits of up to 66% of the deceased worker’s average weekly wage at
the time of the injury multiplied by 4.35 each month.
Each child can receive 25% of the worker’s average weekly wage multiplied by 4.35.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum of $19,000 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in Pennsylvania with employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Casual employees
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from competitive
state funds if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance can face civil and criminal penalties.
If a business fails to provide coverage, the employer can be found guilty of a misdemeanor, could face jail
time, and would be fined up to $2,500. If the violation was found to be intentional, the fine can be up to
$15,000 and the employer could face up to seven years in prison.
If an employee is injured while the business is uninsured, the state fund will pay benefits, which the employer
will later have to repay including interest, penalties, and various fees. Businesses can also be sued by injured
employees if workers compensation insurance was not provided.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits in the form of weekly payments based on a percentage of what
the deceased would have received for total disability.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum of $3,000 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in Rhode Island with employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Employees of the state
Casual employees
Farmers and farm laborers
Nursery workers
Real estate brokers
Salespeople
Sole proprietors and partners
Domestic service employees
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from competitive
state funds if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance can face a $250 fine and an additional
fine of $1,000 for each noncompliant day.
Employers can also face a felony charge, which can lead to a potential two-year prison sentence and $10,000
fine. The state can also shut down your business until coverage is acquired.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits in the form of weekly payments. The amount will depend on the
deceased worker’s marital status and the number of dependents, but cannot exceed the state’s weekly disability
benefit.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum of up to $20,000 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in South Carolina with four or more employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Casual employees
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private insurance carriers.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance can be mandated by the state to cover
all claim costs if one of their uninsured employees is injured on the job.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits equalling two-thirds of the deceased employee’s average
weekly salary for 500 weeks from the date of the injury.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum of $2,500 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in South Dakota with employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Volunteers
Independent contractors
Domestic servants working less than 20 hours per week
Farm laborers
Certain elected government officials
Workfare participants
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private insurance carriers.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance may open themselves to legal action from
injured employees. Injured employees can sue uninsured businesses for all applicable medical expenses incurred
due to the incident, plus twice the amount of disability income or death benefits allowed under state law.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits equalling 67% of the employee's average weekly wage. If the
dependent spouse remarries, the state will pay a lump-sum equaling two years of the worker’s pay.
Dependent children who are disabled will receive payments for their entire lives. Children can also receive an
additional $50 per month until they turn 18 and an added $2,000 per year for up to five years if they are
enrolled in an accredited college in South Dakota as a full-time student.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum of up to $10,000 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in Tennessee with employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Undocumented workers
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private insurance carriers.
The state does not offer a state insurance fund, but high-risk businesses that can’t find insurance through a
private carrier can receive coverage from the NCCI, which administers Tennessee's Workers Compensation Insurance
Plan.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance could pay $10,000 or more for failure
to comply in a timely manner with a specialist’s or administrator’s designee’s order.
They may also face a 25% penalty to an injured worker for not paying the state’s mandated temporary disability
benefits.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits. If there is only a surviving spouse, they can receive 50% of
the deceased worker’s average weekly pay. If there is a surviving spouse and child, they are eligible to
receive 66.67% of the average weekly wage.
If the deceased employee had no dependents, the insurer will pay $20,000 to the person’s estate.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum of $10,000 for funeral expenses.
No. Texas is the only state in which workers compensation insurance is optional. Only businesses that contract
with government entities are required to buy coverage.
Types of Businesses Required to Have Coverage
Any public employer
State universities
Building and construction contractors for public employers
Motorbus companies
Motor carriers
Liquid propane gas and compressed natural gas dealers
Employers of inmates in work furlough programs
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from competitive
state funds if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier.
Penalties for Noncompliance
There are no penalties for not having workers comp insurance for private companies.
Businesses must provide a safe workplace and to take all reasonable steps to protect their employees. If the
business does purchase insurance but does not comply with its requirements, there are administrative penalties
that can be issued.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits equaling 75% of the deceased employee's average weekly wage
split among the beneficiaries.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum of up to $10,000 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in Utah with employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Real estate agents and brokers
Some farmworkers
Casual workers
Domestic workers
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from the state
fund if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier. Utah employers can also
self-insure, meaning they can pay their own workers compensation claims instead of submitting them to an
insurance company.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance could face a penalty of at least $1,000,
a legal injunction against doing business in the state, and the loss of the protection from getting sued for
injury benefits that insurance provides.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits totaling 66.67% of the deceased employee’s average weekly
wage.
Funeral expenses will be paid as well.
Yes. Every business in Vermont with employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Casual employees
Amateur athletes
Agricultural employees for an employer with an aggregate payroll of less than $10,000 per year
Family members living in the employer’s house
Those engaged in service about a private dwelling
Sole proprietors
Real estate brokers or salespeople
Certain members of a corporation or LLC Independent contractors
Assistant judges
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from the Vermont
Assigned Risk Pool if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier. Businesses
can also self-insure, meaning they can pay their own workers compensation claims instead of submitting them to
an insurance company.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance could pay a civil penalty of $100 for
each day without coverage, up to a maximum of $5,000.
The state can also shut down the business until the proper coverage is secured.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits of in between 67% and 77% of the deceased worker’s prior
weekly pay.
Eligible family members can receive a lump-sum of $15,000 for transportation and funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in Virginia with employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Employees who are not employed within the usual course of the employer’s business
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private carriers and can purchase from the Virginia
Assigned Risk Pool if they are a high-risk company and cannot buy the policy from a private carrier. Businesses
can also self-insure, meaning they can pay their own workers compensation claims instead of submitting them to
an insurance company.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance could pay a civil penalty of $250 for
each day without insurance, up to a maximum of $50,000.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits to cover all medical, surgical, and hospital services and
supplies.
Funeral expenses of no more than $10,000 and transportation expenses of no more than $1,000 will also be
available to eligible family members.
Yes. Every business in Washington with employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Workers for businesses registered within the Registration of Contractors
Licensed electricians
Domestic servants
Home gardening and maintenance workers
Workers performing services in return for aid or sustenance
Sole proprietors or partners
Minors employed by parents in agriculture
Jockeys
Corporate officers
Entertainers
Newspaper deliveries
Purchasing a Policy
Washington uses a monopolistic state fund, meaning that there is no private insurance marketplace in the state.
All employers, no matter how risky the industry, are guaranteed coverage under the state insurance program.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance could pay a civil penalty of $250 for
each day without insurance, up to a maximum of $50,000.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits; a one-time payment of the average state monthly wage, along
with a monthly pension that’s based on the deceased worker’s average monthly wage.
Eligible family members can also receive a lump-sum payment of up to $10,000 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in West Virginia with three or more employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Domestic servants
Agricultural employers of fewer than six full-time employees
Church workers
Casual employees
Employees engaged in organized, professional sports activities
Volunteer rescue or police
Federal employees
Longshore and harbor workers
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private insurance carriers.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance can be fined $500 or more on the first
offense and up to $25,000 for subsequent offenses. A stop-work order could be issued as well.
If the business does not pay workers compensation contributions, there will be a late penalty of 10% of the
computed tax, plus interest - a fee of between $50 and $500.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits equaling two-thirds of the deceased worker’s average weekly
earnings at the time of the injury.
Eligible family members can also receive a lump-sum payment of up to $7,000 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in Wisconsin with three or more employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Domestic workers
Most volunteers
Some farmworkers
Employees of Native American tribal enterprises
Most real estate brokers, agents, and salespersons
Some federal workers
Purchasing a Policy
Business owners can buy workers compensation insurance from private insurance carriers.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance can face a penalty equal to twice the
insurance premiums the business should have been paying or $750, whichever is greater.
The business can also be closed by the state until coverage is secured and the employer would also be personally
liable for costs related to injuries that occurred while the business was uninsured.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive weekly death benefits.
Eligible family members can also receive a lump-sum payment of up to $10,000 for funeral expenses.
Yes. Every business in Wisconsin with employees must obtain coverage.
Types of Workers Potentially Excluded from Coverage
Casual employees
Sole proprietors
Corporate officers
Independent contractors
Professional athletes
Federal government employees
Elected officials
Volunteers Members of LLCs
Foster parents
State childcare workers
Purchasing a Policy
Wyoming uses a monopolistic state fund, meaning that there is no private insurance marketplace in the state.
All employers, no matter how risky the industry, are guaranteed coverage under the state insurance program.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Businesses that fail to carry the proper workers compensation insurance can face fines, jail time, stop-work
orders, and can be sued by injured employees.
Death Benefits
Eligible family members can receive death benefits equaling a minimum of 80% of the state’s average monthly wage
and maximum of twice the state’s average monthly wage, depending on what the worker was making before the injury
or illness.
Eligible family members can also receive a lump-sum payment of up to $10,000 for various funeral expenses.
