Do I Have Workers' Comp Coverage if I Am an Independent Contractor in Colorado?

Workplace Accident Injury Attorney for Independent Contractors in Larimer County and Surrounding Areas

By definition, an independent contractor is a person or entity contracted to perform work for—or provide services to—another entity as a non-employee. This means the contractor typically does not receive the benefits of a regular employee. Independent contractors are also commonly known as freelancers.

If you are an independent contractor and you suffer an injury on the job, you may not have workers' compensation coverage. If you work for yourself, you should absolutely purchase workers' comp insurance because you are legally required to do so. Contact Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. for a free consultation to find out how we can help you recover benefits for medical expenses, wage replacement, and more.

Types of Work Injuries

Thousands of U.S. workers are injured on the job every year. Injuries at job sites can be caused by repetitive motion but others can be due to equipment failure or even fires and explosions. These types of accidents can take place in large factories or local retail stores.

Over time, equipment can fail if parts break down or wear out. Some equipment failures are violent, causing lacerations, burns, and head trauma. Other failures could even electrocute or crush the operator. Regardless if the accident is mechanical or electrical in nature, workers can suffer severe injuries, leaving them temporarily or permanently disabled and unable to perform their jobs.

More than 6 percent of Colorado's labor force works in the oil and gas industry. The processes of extracting and refining oil can be hazardous. Even if workers follow the mandated safety regulations, fires and explosions still take place, and many workers can suffer traumatic and life-threatening injuries if they are nearby when they happen.

Construction injuries can be more complicated because a large number of workers in that industry are classified as independent contractors. In some cases, this is an attempt by their employers to avoid paying for workers' compensation insurance and benefits. The lawyers at Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. will analyze the details of your accident to determine if compensation is available to you and your family.

At Hoggatt Law Office, P.C., we understand that today's workers use advanced equipment, but with that automation comes the risk of accidents. If a machine fails or causes an explosion, the operator and other workers nearby are at risk for serious injury. Our experienced workers' compensation lawyers are ready to help you seek the benefits you deserve.

Contact Hoggatt Law Office, P.C.

If you were injured on the job as an independent contractor and work for yourself, you may not have coverage. If you have been hurt by an incident of equipment failure, contact a Longmont workers' compensation lawyer at 970-225-2190 for information on workers' comp insurance. Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. assists clients in Northern Colorado, including Larimer, Boulder, and Weld County.