To file a claim, the injured party’s employer must have workers’ compensation coverage. Fortunately, the vast majority of employers have this coverage, excluding some entities—such as certain religious groups.
An injured claimant also must be a legal employee of the business to file for workers’ comp benefits. While independent contractors could be eligible, individuals working under the table or as volunteers may not qualify.
The final criterion is that the injury suffered by the claimant must be related to the scope of their work. Essentially, this means that workers’ comp usually applies in situations where an employee had an accident on the job, obtains an occupational illness stemming from work, or if the work-related injury causes someone’s death.