Your Rights Under Ohio's Workers' Compensation Law

The key difference is that employees usually have set hours and days that they work, while independent contractors typically do not. Finally, employees are typically paid a regular wage, while independent contractors are typically paid by the project. What ever the differences, it's important to know who covers the work injury claim.

It is the independent contractor's responsibility to file any claims associated with their work. This includes any workers' compensation claims, as well as any liability claims for damages that may occur during the course of their work. The independent contractor is also responsible for ensuring that they have the proper insurance in place to cover these claims. The independent contractor is responsible for their work injury claims... not the company they are doing work for. The company who hires an independent contractor is not responsible to cover the workers compensation claims of the independent contractor.

The employer of an independent contractor is not responsible for the workers compensation claims of that contractors’ employees. The independent contractor is responsible for obtaining workers' compensation insurance and for any claims that may arise from work-related injuries or illnesses. Many businesses will ask for proof of insurance just to make sure the employees of that contractor are covered. The employees should know before hand if they are covered by workers compensation insurance and consider not even working for a sub-contractor that is not using workers compensation (which is actually required by law anyway).