Workers Compensation Insurance Benefits Employers and Workers
2/1/2012 7:09:17 AM
Are you a small business, about to hire your first employee? Congratulations on your success to date! We guess that the need to hire help indicates that your business is growing and thriving. Taking on your first worker may also be your first encounter with Florida business insurance.
Many business owners launch small enterprises without the benefit of business insurance; the entrepreneur may reason that, since the business has started with little or no capital investment there is no need for business insurance to protect the investment. However, workers’ compensation insurance is mandatory when the business starts to hire workers.
Florida law requires a business with one employee or more to have workers’ compensation insurance in place before the employee starts to work for you. This type of insurance pays medical expenses, rehabilitation costs and a portion of lost wages to employees who suffer work-related injuries and illnesses.
As an employer you will naturally be looking to create a safe, pleasant (and productive) workplace for your staff. It’s important to eliminate hazards in the workplace that could cause injury, to provide workers with training in safe working practices, and to issue safety clothing and footwear if your workers are engaged in hazardous work. By emphasizing workplace safety you will be doing your best to keep your workers safe and healthy and eliminate the problems that give rise to workers’ compensation claims.
It’s a good idea to contact an insurance agency before your new worker joins your business to discuss workers’ compensation requirements and any other relevant Florida business insurance matters. An insurance agency can help you with fulfilling the legal obligations that come with employing staff.
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Many business owners launch small enterprises without the benefit of business insurance; the entrepreneur may reason that, since the business has started with little or no capital investment there is no need for business insurance to protect the investment. However, workers’ compensation insurance is mandatory when the business starts to hire workers.
Florida law requires a business with one employee or more to have workers’ compensation insurance in place before the employee starts to work for you. This type of insurance pays medical expenses, rehabilitation costs and a portion of lost wages to employees who suffer work-related injuries and illnesses.
As an employer you will naturally be looking to create a safe, pleasant (and productive) workplace for your staff. It’s important to eliminate hazards in the workplace that could cause injury, to provide workers with training in safe working practices, and to issue safety clothing and footwear if your workers are engaged in hazardous work. By emphasizing workplace safety you will be doing your best to keep your workers safe and healthy and eliminate the problems that give rise to workers’ compensation claims.
It’s a good idea to contact an insurance agency before your new worker joins your business to discuss workers’ compensation requirements and any other relevant Florida business insurance matters. An insurance agency can help you with fulfilling the legal obligations that come with employing staff.
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