Employment Law

Injuries and Independent Contractors in Construction

The majority of projects in the construction industry rely on a variety of talented professionals to perform specialized work. If you are a general contractor, chances are that you require the services of subcontractors in order to complete projects on time and with quality workmanship. Every contractor should ask themselves what would happen if a subcontractor or one of their workers were injured on the job? In this brief article, Florida workers’ compensation lawyers will discuss workers’ compensation laws in Florida and coverage requirements for construction businesses.

Florida Workers’ Compensation Laws for Independent Contractors

Although the rules and regulations for workers’ compensation vary depending on the state you are working in, if you own a construction business, employers need to be especially mindful of the strict laws pertaining to workers’ compensation for construction-related projects. Although independent contractors are generally not covered by an employer, according to Florida Statute 440.02(15)(c)(3), the construction industry is an exception to this rule as the term employee in Florida includes “an independent contractor working or performing services in the construction industry.” Although this may be surprising to learn, this means that construction employers are required to obtain the necessary insurance coverage for independent contractors.

Are the Subcontractors’ Workers Covered?

As a contractor, it can be easy to lose track of all your subcontractors and to make certain that your subcontractors’ employees are in compliance with the workers’ compensation laws in your state. Contractors need to remember that if a worker who is not covered is injured, including one of their subcontractors’ workers, the employer is responsible for paying workers’ compensation coverage for the injured worker.

With many strict requirements, if you fail to comply with workers’ compensation laws, this can prove to be costly for your business in a variety of ways. Between steep penalties and stop-work orders, it’s critical that you remain in compliance with all workers’ compensation requirements. When you consult with a Florida workers’ compensation attorney, they can make certain that you are in compliance with the requirements set forth in Florida.

If you would like to speak with one of our Florida workers’ compensation attorneys, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.