Workers Compensation Insurance for Group Homes

Workers’ Compensation Insurance provides medical and wage benefits to employees who are injured or become ill at work. This type of insurance also provides death benefits to an employee’s family if they die due to a work‐related injury. Workplace injuries are common and highlight the need for employers to protect their staff and business by having Workers’ Compensation Insurance. Workers’ compensation is an essential insurance coverage that Group Homes need due to the dynamic nature of the job.

Group home employees serve and supervise residents ranging from the elderly, to children, to the mentally disabled. The group home worker may be responsible for duties ranging from clerical services and counseling, to riskier situations, such as mediating disputes. Oftentimes, at least one caregiver is on‐site 24 hours a day.

These risks, coupled with the possibility of contracting an infectious disease, has insurance carriers deeming these operations as hazardous.

Jobs at group homes range in risk level. They range from low‐hazard, non‐medical employees to higher hazard occupations, including nursing assistants and registered nurses. High‐hazard workers face daily risks from the spread of disease and infection to physical injury. Exposures to contaminated blood, inadvertent needle pricks, muscle strains or injuries from lifting are just a few of the risks threatening the well‐being of these healthcare professionals.

The most common injuries to home healthcare workers are sprains, strains, and other musculoskeletal injuries related to lifting and moving patients. Strains and sprains account for more than half of all health care injuries reported by group home workers. Fractures and contusions along with punctures and lacerations are among the other injuries that group home workers endure.

Failure to carry workers’ comp insurance can lead to criminal prosecution, fines, and result in expensive litigation. When an injured worker files a workers’ compensation claim and the employer is uninsured, that employer must obtain legal representation. Failing to carry workers’ compensation insurance is a criminal misdemeanor, punishable by a personal fine of up to $10,000 or one year in jail, or both in some states. Additionally, for the second offense in some states, the fine goes up to $50,000. If an employer is uninsured and a worker files a workers’ comp claim, the employer is legally responsible for the payment of all medical bills associated with the injury. This can be expensive.

Workers’ compensation benefits exist to help employees who are injured while doing their jobs. If an employee is harmed in a workplace accident, they can get the following:

Medical coverage ‐ This may include compensation for medications, hospitalizations, nursing care, medical equipment, like wheelchairs or walkers, and other treatments.

Wage benefits ‐ An injured employee can receive benefits to cover a percentage of missed wages. These are known as disability benefits, and they are awarded if injuries have left an employee unable to work either permanently or temporarily.

Vocational rehabilitation ‐ This includes job training, career counseling, and assistance in finding new employment.

Death benefits ‐ If an employee dies from injuries suffered in the workplace, workers’ compensation provides death benefits. These benefits are paid to the employee’s spouse, children, or dependents. Death benefits usually include a sum to compensate the worker’s family for their loss, as well as coverage for funeral and burial expenses.

A class code is assigned by the National Council of Compensation Insurance (NCCI) or by state agencies based on the activities of the occupation.

There are many different workers’ comp class codes within the group home segment. Here is the commonly used class code in the industry.

Code 8842: Group Homes – All Employees & Salespersons, Drivers

Because workers’ compensation insurance is regulated on the state level, the cost of a policy depends on where your employees are located. Companies with more employees and risks pay more for workers’ comp. The cost of workers’ compensation insurance for group homes can range from US$700 up to US$2,000 per year depending on the risk level and number of employees at the home.

UnderWrite Insurance Services is a national insurance agency established to help group homes secure A-rated workers’ compensation insurance. For a free insurance quote, submit an application below or give us a call at 201-580-6806.