Nearly all employers in Louisiana must carry some form of workers compensation insurance. As a business owner, this form of insurance not only protects your staff from wage losses and other damages resulting from an on-the-job injury or death, it also protects you and your commercial assets from litigation resulting from the incident. There are few exceptions to the federal mandate of workers compensation, so be sure to check with your local department of labor before assuming your business exempt.

Workers compensation is a form of insurance providing wage replacement and medical benefits to employees injured in the course of employment in exchange for mandatory relinquishment of the employee’s right to sue his or her employer for negligence.

In 2012, the Louisiana Workforce Commission, the government agency charged with overseeing the workers compensation programs, received 5,178 disputed claims for compensation, a decrease of 92 from the disputes filed in 2011. According to the OWCA annual reports, 2,787 workers compensation trials were conducted in Louisiana and another 1,968 disputes were mediated. Additionally, 4,872 workers compensation settlements were approved in 2012.

Workers’ compensation statutes are designed to ensure that employees who are injured or disabled on the job are not required to cover medical bills related to their on-the-job injury, and are provided with monetary awards to cover loss of wages directly related to the accident, as well as to compensate for permanent physical impairments. The intent of these statutes is to eliminate the need for courts to handle these types of injuries. These laws also protect employers and fellow workers by limiting the amount an injured employee can recover from an employer and by eliminating the liability of co-workers in most accidents.

You require all of your employees to follow safety guidelines and are thorough in their training. However, accidents can and still do happen and that is why a comprehensive workers compensation insurance policy is a must-have for your business.

Knowledgeable, independent insurance agents at McInnis have been assisting their business clients in finding the proper workers compensation policy for decades. These experienced agents are always available to answer any questions you may have, suggest coverage options best suited for your business, and assist you in finding several policy quotes from a number of providers. Contact a McInnis member agent near you to ensure the insurance you purchase offers the best protection at the most affordable rates while complying with Louisiana law.