Worcester Workers' Compensation Insurance

Some jobs are just more dangerous than others. And sometimes, employees get hurt while working—even when they have seemingly safe occupations. Fortunately, employers in Worcester, Massachusetts can keep workplace injuries from leading to large financial losses by carrying a suitable workers’ compensation insurance policy. A local independent insurance agent can help you find the best coverage for your Worcester business. Find an insurance agent near you to learn more.

Is Workers’ Compensation Insurance Required in Worcester, MA?

Employers in Worcester must remain in compliance with Massachusetts workers’ compensation coverage requirements, or they can face financial penalties and other legal action. In Massachusetts, you are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance if you have at least one employee. There are a few exceptions. 

You are not required to cover domestic servants who work fewer than 16 hours a week, salespeople who work on commission, or workers who engage in international or interstate commerce. Additionally, you are not required to purchase coverage for sole proprietors, LLC members, or partners, but you have the option to do so if you wish to. To learn more about your requirements, talk to a local independent insurance agent.

How Much Does Workers' Comp Insurance Cost in Worcester, MA?

Every business is different, and just like with business insurance, workers’ compensation rates reflect this. The cost can vary according to the business size, type, and scope. Your cost for coverage will depend mainly on the types of work your employees do and your company’s overall payroll amount. 

Each job is assigned a classification code. Rates for each class code are set by the state Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau according to the job’s associated risks. Insurers use these rates as a starting point and can offer discounts and incentives based on your company’s safety rating, claims history, and experience modification. That is why comparing quotes is beneficial. The following are average rates paid per every $100,000 in employee payroll for the top three industries in Worcester, MA:

• Retail Trade: $800 a year
• Manufacturing: $3,090 a year
• Healthcare and Social Assistance: $1,320

Obviously manufacturing workers have a much higher risk of serious employee injuries than retail workers. That is why rates are so much higher in this industry. These are just broad-based rates, of course. Your actual rate will depend on more specific details about what your employees do. Talk to an independent insurance agent in Worcester to learn how much a workers’ compensation policy will cost for your business.

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Worcester Workers’ Compensation Pays for Medical Treatments

Your employees should not have to pay for any medical treatment related to on-the-job injuries. Workers' compensation insurance is designed to cover the cost of all reasonable medical treatment, including hospital stays, doctor's visits, physical therapy, and prescription medications, as long as they are related to the occupational injury.

You can choose which doctors your employees see for their initial assessment, but they can then choose their own doctor for their continued care.  For long-term injuries and illnesses, you can require your employees to check in with a company-approved doctor for reassessment of the injury. To ensure that your workers do not sustain any undue costs related to their medical care, workers compensation insurance will also reimburse them for miles driven to and from medical appointments.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Worcester, MA Provides Disability Coverage

Workers’ compensation also provides injured employees with disability benefits.  These are designed to replace lost wages if an employee requires more than five consecutive days off work to recuperate from a job-related injury or illness. This coverage can provide injured employees with 60% of their average weekly wages for the entire time they are off work under orders from their treating physician. 

If an employee is approved by their physician to return for light-duty work or for shorter working hours, they must do so in order to maintain their benefits. Because light-duty work often pays less, workers’ compensation insurance can help make up the difference so that the employee is making 75% of their previously earned wages. If an injury results in an employee becoming permanently disabled, workers’ compensation can provide the injured worker with two-thirds of their average pay for as long as they are deemed disabled. This benefit is eligible for periodic cost-of-living increases.

Worcester Employees Can Get Compensation for Disfiguring Accidents

If a workplace injury results in permanent disfigurement or scarring of the face, neck, or hands, the injured employee may also be eligible for a one-time payment of up to $15,000, depending on the severity of the injury. Talk to a local insurance agent to learn more about this and other workers' compensation insurance benefits.

Worcester Workers' Compensation Covers Workplace Fatalities

It is unfortunate, but employees sometimes suffer fatal injuries on the job. In fact, recently, Massachusetts hit an 11-year high in work-related deaths. Workers’ compensation insurance can help ease the financial burden placed on the deceased employee’s family by providing them with survivor benefits.

Workers’ compensation will assist with the cost of funeral arrangements and burial. Following that, the employee's spouse can receive weekly benefits of 50% of the deceased employee’s average weekly wage. This benefit will continue indefinitely or until the employee’s spouse remarries, in which case the deceased employee’s dependent children will be able to collect $60 per week in benefits. Like long-term disability benefits, death benefits are eligible for periodic cost-of-living increases.

Find the Best Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Worcester

If you are looking for a great workers’ compensation insurance policy to cover your employees, a local independent agent can help you find affordable coverage. These agents can match you up with insurance companies that specialize in covering businesses in your industry and can help you compare customized quotes from each of them.

Discover the many benefits of working with a local, independent insurance professional. Contact an insurance agent in or near Worcester to get started.