Worker’s Comp Coverage

Of all the things business owners should cut when you’re looking to cut expenses, one thing that should never be cut – that is workers’ compensation insurance coverage. No joke. If you have any employees, or independent contractors, you must keep workers’ comp insurance in Utah. Given the price that many employers must pay for workers’ compensation premiums, is there any way that they can keep the costs down? yes. yes you can. The first think you should do is check to make sure you have the right coverage for your business.

Ensure that you are classified as the right type of employer or employment field. Employers who have heavy machinery or hazardous materials in their everyday workplace will likely have a higher premium than employers who have employees who work only with telephones and computers. Make sure that your premium is being calculated under the right classification for both the type of work you perform and the number of employees you have in “high-risk” positions.

Do some research and consider whether self-insurance might be right for your business. Generally, in order to be self-insured you have to have a large workforce and be able to show that you are clearly solvent. Self-insurance is not a good solution for every employer, and it is not allowed in every jurisdiction, but it might be right for you.

In Utah, even very small employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. If you have recently had all employees or independent contractors leave your employ, it is possible that you could now qualify to remove it – if you have even 1 employee or 1 independent contractor, you must have worker’s comp coverage.

Review your payroll. Has overtime been included in your calculations for purposes of computing your premium? Some states allow workers’ compensation premiums to be calculated on regular payroll figures, excluding overtime. If overtime has been included in your premium calculation, ask if it can be removed. The less payroll you have, the less your premium will be. If you haven’t already, start a safety program and protocols to try to, as much as possible, prevent workplace injuries. The fewer claims you have, the lower your premiums will be.

Confirm that your experience rating is correct. Employers who pay more then $5,000 per year in workers’ compensation premiums automatically receive an experience rating which compares their claims history to the claims histories of other firms within the same industry. The more claims you have, when compared to the industry as a whole, the more risky you are considered to insure and the higher your premiums go. Make sure that yours has been correctly calculated.

If you are a participant in an assigned-risk pool, gather information on how much your premium would be if you were not a participant. Many times, the premiums that are charged in pools are higher than they would be if you were insured by yourself. If your premiums would be lower outside of the pool, consider taking steps to head off on your own. This may take some time to accomplish, particularly if you have been placed in the pool due to your claims history. You may have to show that your workplace is now a lot safer than it was at the time you got pushed into the pool.

If you are not already, consider whether you want to pay a deductible toward worker’s compensation coverage. A number of states allow employers to reduce their premiums through the payment of deductibles. Also consider whether you want to use managed medical care, such as an HMO, to treat workers injured under your employer. The majority of states allow managed medical care providers to handle workers’ compensation claims. While you may not win the hearts of your employees by switching to managed care, you will save money in insurance costs.

Get any injured workers to work as soon as possible. The longer injured employees sit at home or in therapy recuperating, the more money your insurance company is paying them. Of course, no employee can be forced to return to work before they are physically ready. However, they may be able to work in a different position, or a light-duty job, if they cannot return to their pre-injury employment.

Worker’s Comp Lawyer Free Consultation

When you need legal help with a worker’s comp case in Utah, please call Ascent Law for your free consultation (801) 676-5506. We want to help you.

Michael Anderson

People who want a lot of Bull go to a Butcher. People who want results navigating a complex legal field go to a Lawyer that they can trust. That’s where I come in. I am Michael Anderson, an Attorney in the Salt Lake area focusing on the needs of the Average Joe wanting a better life for him and his family. I’m the Lawyer you can trust. I grew up in Utah and love it here. I am a Father to three, a Husband to one, and an Entrepreneur. I understand the feelings of joy each of those roles bring, and I understand the feeling of disappointment, fear, and regret when things go wrong. I attended the University of Utah where I received a B.A. degree in 2010 and a J.D. in 2014. I have focused my practice in Wills, Trusts, Real Estate, and Business Law. I love the thrill of helping clients secure their future, leaving a real legacy to their children. Unfortunately when problems arise with families. I also practice Family Law, with a focus on keeping relationships between the soon to be Ex’s civil for the benefit of their children and allowing both to walk away quickly with their heads held high. Before you worry too much about losing everything that you have worked for, before you permit yourself to be bullied by your soon to be ex, before you shed one more tear in silence, call me. I’m the Lawyer you can trust.

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