Keeping Your Team Safe: A Closer Look at Workers Compensation Insurance
When someone on your team gets hurt or sick because of their job, it’s not just paperwork. It’s a real person facing a hard time. Workers compensation insurance is built to help in those moments. It offers injured employees financial support without the added stress of legal battles. For employers, it also helps manage risk by limiting how much can be claimed in a lawsuit, depending on the state.
Workers comp helps cover medical care, lost wages, and other benefits tied to workplace injuries or illnesses. It isn’t health insurance. It’s designed specifically for incidents that happen on the job.
Workers Compensation in Texas: How It's Different
Texas takes a different approach from most other states. Here, private employers are not required by law to carry workers compensation insurance. That gives business owners the choice.
Here’s how that breaks down:
- If you choose to have it (you’re a “subscriber”): Your employees are covered if they get hurt while working, and your business is protected from most employee injury lawsuits.
- If you choose not to have it (you’re a “non-subscriber”): You save on insurance premiums, but you also take on more legal risk. If an employee gets injured, they can sue your business directly for negligence, pain and suffering, and punitive damages. There is no cap on what they can recover, and Texas law limits the defenses you can use in court.
Even though it’s optional in Texas, many employers choose to carry workers comp. If you have multiple employees or operate in a high-risk industry, this coverage can be an important safety net for everyone involved.
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Why Carry Workers Compensation Insurance?
Employers are responsible for providing a safe workplace. But even with the best planning, accidents happen.
Workers compensation insurance helps ensure that employees who get injured or sick while working are taken care of, no matter who was at fault. It typically covers:
- Wage replacement for missed time
- Medical care and rehabilitation
- Death benefits for surviving spouses or dependents
Coverage applies whether someone is hurt at your location, offsite while working, or in a vehicle while handling job duties.
Who’s Exempt from Workers Compensation in Texas?
Most private employers in Texas can choose whether or not to carry workers comp. But there are certain cases where coverage is either required or not expected.
Who must carry it:
- Public employers: State agencies, cities, counties, and public school districts
- Private companies working on government contracts: If your business has a contract with a governmental body, coverage may be required for employees tied to that work
- Some specific industries: Including bus companies, motor carriers, and combustible gas dealers
Who is typically exempt:
- Independent contractors
- Sole proprietors, partners, and LLC members without employees: You don’t need coverage for yourself, but that could change if you bring someone onto your team
- Domestic workers: Including housekeepers and nannies working in private homes
- Agricultural and farm workers, depending on the size and structure of the operation
- Casual workers hired for one-off jobs
- Volunteers for nonprofit organizations
- Railroad and maritime workers, who are usually covered under federal programs
If you decide not to carry workers comp, Texas requires that you inform your employees in writing and post a notice at your place of business.
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Workers Compensation Insurance FAQ
Here are some common questions about workers compensation insurance in Texas:
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Partnering with Rollo to Protect Your People
Your team is one of the most important parts of your business. Taking care of them when they need it most is part of being a responsible and compassionate employer. Whether you are required to carry workers’ comp or simply believe it’s the right thing to do, we’re here to help. At Rollo Insurance, we understand how the rules work in Texas and beyond. We’ll help you make a clear, confident decision based on your business and the people who keep it running. Reach out to us today to learn more about your options.
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