What are the work comp requirements for Colorado employers?
As an employee, you understand that if you are injured, you have rights and you have options. Indeed, you probably know that your employer has workers’ compensation insurance and that you may secure payment for medical expenses, partial wage replacement for temporary disability and even permanent impairment benefits for more severe conditions.
While this is all incredibly important information to know, what you might be understandably lacking is knowledge of what the law here in Colorado has to say about employer requirements for work comp insurance.
In the interests of helping workers better understand their rights under state law, today’s post will start answering some basic questions about these work comp insurance requirements.
What employers are required to carry work comp insurance under state law?
State law is very clear on this issue: Absent a handful of exclusions, all employers in Colorado are obligated to carry work comp insurance for employees.
Any failure to meet this requirement can result in the Director of the Division of Workers’ Compensation leveling fines, and/or issuing a cease and desist order calling for all operations to stop until such time as the necessary work comp coverage is secured.
Who is responsible for the costs of work comp insurance?
The cost of work comp insurance is borne entirely by an employer and cannot be deducted from employee wages in any form.
What about contractors and subcontractors?
If the subcontractor to which a contractor farms out work has not secured work comp insurance, state law views the contractor as being primarily responsible for covering all of the employees of the subcontractor.
We’ll continue examining this topic in future posts …
If you have been seriously injured on the job and your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier has denied your claim, it’s important not to panic. Instead, consider speaking with a skilled legal professional who can fight to secure the benefits to which you are entitled.
