The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1930-04-04
UNINSURED EMPLOYERS
FACE RECEIVERSHIP


liable. Many of the injuries reported
have been to men making repairs,
building a new church or working on
an addition.
"Workmen's compensation has been
compulsory since January 1, 1914.
During the intervening sixteen years
the newspapers have repeatedly an
nounced that fact, yet almost every
week some employer tells US, and
| believe truthfully, that he did not
know he was required to carry insur
ance. One employer wrote me few
days ago saying, i should not be re-
quired to pay this. / had only three
employees
"a claim was filed recently against
farmer who regularly employed
three or more men. One of them had
his arm broken when kicked by a
horse. The farmer voluntarily paid
| $75 before the claim was filed. $50
was yet due. When it was pointed
out he was lucky that the injury wos
minor, and that he might have been
called upon to pay $65OO death
claim, he gladly took out insurance.
"All reports of employers having
three or more employees and not
carrying insurance are investigated.
Some reports are in the form of anon
ymous letters. Usually unsigned let
ters cannot be relied upon, but when
they report failure to carry insar-
ance, we always hand the name and
address of the employer to our audit
ing department and an investigation
is made.
after an accident, most employ
ers are willing to take out insurance,
and some expect the awards for acci-
dents prior to that time to be paid
from the state insurance fund. 1T is
Just like having a fire and then IL.
ing out fire insurance.. You can't eX-
pect the insurance company to pay
for the fire that occurred while you
had no coverage. 1t is the same with
workmen's compensation"
Mr.. Coffnberry, the auditor in the
department, was asked whether any
employers who know they are liable
refuse to carry insurance. He re-
Piled, Eyes, some seem to think it is
a joke 1t is for these that we expect
to ask the appointment of a receiver
in order that we may collect pre-
miums A section of the law provides
for this action" Asked whether it
had ever been tried, he answered,
"Yes, and it works fine"
Mr.. Coffnberry explained that
where an award had been made
against an employer and suit brought,
the department is also collecting back
premiums. For instance, suit has
been brought against one employer
for an award of 1926 and back pre-
miums amounting to 500.
"There is a section of the law re-
IdtlIS 10 COliIIdCbOlS tiiSil oSSiilS w
be little known by such persons"
said Mr.. Coffnberry. "This provides
that where the contractor does not
have coverage in the state insurance
fund, the person giving the contract
may be called upon to pay awards
Mr. Coffnberry also referred tc g
recent claim in which contractor
having contract with the state high
way department sublet part of he
work to another contractor who did
not have coverage. An injury occur
red to one of the employers of the
latter, and the general contractor who
sublet the work was required to pay
the claim.
Rates are low and based upon the
hazard of employment and the pay
roll Why anyone should wish to
avoid carrying insurance is hard to
understand. Both Mr.. Stump and Mr..
Coffnberry pointed out that an in
jured employe cannot sue an en-
ployer who carries insurance with the
state fund, and that employers of one
or two persons may avail themselves
of this protection.