Volunteers are sometimes the life blood of an organization or company. Without them, the company would not be able to do much of their work. This brings up a curious issue about how workers’ compensation may affect volunteers and if it applies to them at all. You would think that because they are such an enormous help, volunteers would be covered the same as paid employees, but this isn’t the case. Many states do not require workers’ compensation to cover volunteers, which can leave you in a bind if you’re injured while volunteering. Here are some things to know about your workers’ compensation rights.
Worker’s Compensation Defined
When an employee is injured on the job, he or she is likely eligible for workers’ compensation, which is an insurance coverage taken out by his or her employer to pay for their medical and lost wages expenses in this exact scenario. Your company may not have coverage, as each state has its own laws regarding workers’ compensation and who must buy the insurance. If your company has it, you can file a claim to cover any costs due to the injury.
Who Workers’ Compensation Covers
Workers’ compensation is limited in that it usually only covers paid employees of the company. This can bode poorly for volunteers, as their unpaid status means they cannot file a claim if they are injured while volunteering. While an employee’s coverage often applies no matter who was at fault for the injury-causing accident, the gap between a company and its volunteers exposes the company to potential lawsuits arising from an injured volunteer.
Exceptions
There are some exceptions for volunteers, and they may be covered under workers’ compensation despite their unpaid status. Some states have workers’ compensation available for volunteer fire fighters since the job comes with so many risks. Other states give companies the option of purchasing insurance to cover their volunteers as well as their employees should someone get hurt. This can be beneficial for the volunteer and the company, as it avoids any lawsuits down the road.
If you’re a volunteer, find out if your company or organization has workers’ compensation available to their volunteers. Check into their guidelines or requirements so that you know what to do should you ever be injured. If your company offers it, you can file a workers’ compensation claim the same as any paid employee would.
If you’re unsure of your status as a volunteer, you can always consult with a lawyer. If you’re injured while volunteering and your company does not have insurance to cover you, contacting a northern New Jersey work accident lawyer may be the best way to learn about future options.
Thanks to Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. for their insight into workers compensation and volunteers.