Workers’ Compensation (WC)

Workers' Compensation (WC) insurance provides medical benefits, rehabilitation, and partial wage replacement to employees injured in the course of employment. In exchange, injured employees generally give up the right to sue their employer. WC is mandatory for most employers in every US state, though specific rules vary. Four states (North Dakota, Ohio, Washington, and Wyoming) are 'monopolistic,' meaning WC coverage must be purchased from a state-run fund rather than a private insurer. GCs must verify that every subcontractor with employees carries active WC coverage, and must collect exemption certificates from sole proprietors who legally opt out.