Workers’ Compensation in Virginia
Workers’ compensation laws vary by state. In Virginia, employers with three or more full-time or part-time workers are required to carry it. Therefore, the odds are that most employees are eligible for coverage when injured. Virtually anyone qualifies as an employee, even if they are temporary or seasonal, family members, or minors. Religious institutions and nonprofits are not exempt from workers’ comp regulations. Neither are sole proprietors. Workers’ comp insurance is mandatory, with few exemptions.
Employers hiring subcontractors must adhere to workers’ compensation requirements even if the subcontractor carries its own insurance.
One exception is an independent contractor since they are not employed by the company per se. However, this role is often exploited by some businesses. Upon scrutiny, they could prove to be employees. It depends on how much of the working relationship the company controls. If you think you may fall into the employee rather than independent contractor category, an experienced Centreville workers’ comp lawyers can help determine the facts.