Hurt on the Job?

Question

I am self employed but we have to pay for helpers insurance while we are in the warehouse. Last week, I was hurt in the warehouse while moving my bundles of paper off the cart. I pulled my rotator cup. When I asked to see that the helper insurance covers. My boss said that she does not have to show me anything. So why am I paying for helpers insurance if she says it does not cover that plus she will not show me the policy?

Answer 1

you need to contact the main office and if that doesn't help maybe a lawyer can help

Answer 2

employers are required under the laws of most states to be responsible for the medical expenses of anyone injured while on the job in their property. Every once in a while, employers will not do what is right, and try to wiggle out of it on some sort of technicality. Fact is, independent contractor or not, the company should have liability insurance, if not outright WC coverage. I would put a request in writing, send it to the company's CEO certified (return receipt requested), giving them 48 hours to provide proof of insurance. If none is forthcoming, contact both your State Dept of Workmens' compensation, and the State dept of Labor and/or Professional Regulation.

Answer 3

Go over her head or to the HR Dept directly. Whether or not this is covered by helpers insurance, it needs to be reported.

Answer 4

You have to see about that ,all you do talk about it with social worker if you have one

Answer 5

You don't pay for worker's compensation insurance, however you will need to contact your state's industrial board and see what their definition of self-employed is.  If you are self employed, then you need your own policy and basically you are screwed.  If you are an employee and your employer does not have work comp coverage, your state will probably have a "special fund" that pays for on the job injuries for employers that do not have work comp insurance.  However as others have mentioned, you may need to get an attorney and sue this woman that claims to be your boss.

Answer 6

If you have a "boss", you are likely not self employed.

There's no policy called a "helpers insurance".    She can't sell you insurance if she's not licensed to sell insurance.

If you ARE self employeed, you are responsible for buying workers comp coverage and liability coverage for you and your employees.

But just not withholding taxes does NOT make you self employed.  If she tells you what time to show up, and it has to be YOU, and you do what she says, when, you're not self employed.  

But you're going to need to sue her, to have a hope of collecting anything.  I don't recommend it often, but this time, you WILL need a lawyer.  And you might want to file a complaint with your state department of labor.

Answer 7

When you say you are self employed you need to first determine if you are really self employed. Referring to someone as your boss rather than a client assumes and employee and employer relationship. Many small business try to skirt the rules for workers comp insurance by hiring contractors and paying them 1099 when in fact they are really employees. You can read this to determine if you are an employee. http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/arti...

I have never heard of "helpers insurance" and a google search does not find it. If he is deducting money from your pay for some type of insurance he must give you some type of certificate of coverage.

I would contact your states Workers Compensation Commission for assistance.

http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/o...

And your states department of labor http://www.dol.gov/dol/location.htm

But your boss should at least make available to you and the other 1099 employees an on and off the job accident/ disability plan. Allstate offers a very good accident plan designed for payroll deduction.