Small Businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi – Is My “Mom and Pop” Employer Required to Carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage for Me and Other Employees?
One of the interesting things that injured workers in Mississippi and Louisiana may not know about the workers’ compensation systems in both states is that there are certain eligibility criteria that must be met before an injured worker is granted and can receive workers’ compensation benefits. One of those requirements is that the worker must work for an employer that is not exempt from Louisiana workers’ compensation laws (in Louisiana) and Mississippi workers’ compensation laws (in Mississippi). Indeed, while most employers in both Louisiana and Mississippi are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance in case one of their employees gets seriously injured on the job, there are some exceptions. Accordingly, some workers in especially small businesses in Mississippi and Louisiana may wonder if their employer is required to have workers’ compensation coverage for them if they are injured on the job and disabled from work. To help Mississippi and Louisiana workers better understand workers’ compensation coverage in their state when it comes to small employers, we discuss how workers’ compensation laws apply to small employers in both states, and where to go for legal help with their workers’ compensation cases.
Mississippi – How Many Employees Must a Small Business Employ for Workers’ Compensation Coverage Obligations to be Triggered?
Most Mississippi workers are entitled to important Mississippi workers’ compensation benefits if they are injured on the job and are unable to work. These workers’ compensation benefits may include wage replacement compensation, medical expense reimbursement, vocational rehabilitation services, and more. However, there are certain exemptions under Mississippi workers’ compensation laws for small employers. According to the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission: “All employers with five (5) employees regularly employed are required to provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage. If the employer has less than five (5) employees, workers’ compensation coverage is not mandatory but may be provided voluntarily by the employer.” Accordingly, if your employer has five or more employees, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if you are injured on the job.
Minimum Workers’ Compensation Coverage Requirements in Louisiana
Things work a little bit differently when it comes to workers’ compensation laws in Louisiana. The Louisiana Workforce Commission, the state agency that handles workers’ compensation claims within the state, establishes that, “Employers in Louisiana are required to maintain workers’ compensation insurance even if they only have one employee. This includes part-time, full-time, temporary, or seasonal employees.”
Finding Legal Help for Your Workers’ Compensation Case in Mississippi or Louisiana
Regardless of whether you were injured on the job in Mississippi or Louisiana, it is important to speak with an experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyer or Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyer if you are injured on the job and are unable to work. The experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyers and Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyers at the law firm Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC are here to help injured workers get workers’ compensation benefits due to them. Contact Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC today and speak to a lawyer about your case now.
Source:
mwcc.ms.gov/pdf/WCFacts2013.pdf
