The employer's guide to Nevada workers' comp insurance

Too many business owners slip into that Las Vegas state of mind and think about rolling the dice on workers' comp coverage. But why gamble with your business, especially when Lady Luck is on your side? Fortunately, you’ve landed on just the right article to learn everything you need to know about Nevada workers' comp. Business insurance is what we do, so we've linked to all the most essential information.

Is workers' comp insurance required in Nevada?

In a word: Yes. If you employ at least one person in Nevada—full or part-time—you need workers' comp insurance. Nevada employers are required by law to get workers' compensation insurance coverage. This insurance covers the costs of medical treatment and lost income resulting from job-related injuries and occupational diseases. And it's important to protect both your employees and your company.

However, there are a few exclusions, such as casual employees who don't work in the same kind of business as the entity employing them. So, for example, a landscape gardening business probably doesn't need to provide workers' comp coverage for the worker they contract to mop the office floor once a week. Real estate brokers, theater performers, and domestic service providers are also not required to buy workers' comp under Nevada state law (in most cases).

It's important to remember, though, that these are exclusions. In general, if you employ a single person in Nevada, you need workers' comp. Visit this page to read the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) that mandate workers' comp coverage.

What happens if I don't get workers' comp in Nevada?

You can face serious consequences if you operate a Nevada business without workers' comp insurance.

1. You could face an administrative fine of up to $15,000 from the Division of Industrial Relations, Workers' Compensation Section (WCS).
2. You might be ordered to close your business until you've purchased coverage.
3. You'll be held financially responsible for all costs which arise from a workplace injury or illness. (That can be a hefty bill.)
4. If workers’ comp does not insure your employee, they are free to sue you for any damages resulting from a workplace injury. And, the cost of settling a lawsuit is, in most cases, far more than you would have paid for workers' comp coverage in the first place.

Don't take the chance. Just get workers' comp.

I'm a business owner in Nevada. Do I need to purchase workers' comp for myself?

No, if you own a Nevada business, you're not required to purchase workers' comp insurance for yourself. Depending on how your business is organized, though, you might automatically be included in the coverage. If you're sure you don't want to be included in your company's workers' comp policy, you'll fill out a form to waive coverage (with Huckleberry, this is done entirely online).

How do I get workers' comp in Nevada?

Generally, you'll get workers' comp through a Division of Insurance approved private insurance carrier (find one with Google or get an instant Huckleberry workers’ comp estimate). There are two main ways to obtain workers' comp insurance for your Nevada company:

1. You can find a traditional insurer, fill out all the paperwork and mail in your forms, and wait a few weeks for everything to be final. However, this process can take a while, so start it early.
2. You can go digital (and get a quote in about 5 minutes with Huckleberry).

What is the cost of workers' comp in Nevada?

Quick background: Your workers' comp payment is calculated mainly based on your payroll and the kind of industry you work in. The bigger the payroll, the more you'll pay for workers' compensation coverage. (Read more about how workers' comp rates are calculated.)

To give you a ballpark range, the average cost for Nevada workers’ comp is $1.31 per $100 of payroll. But the best way to learn what you're likely to pay is to get a quick workers’ comp quote here.

What are the workers' compensation insurance limits in Nevada?

Great question! Here's the thing: Limits matter little when you're purchasing workers' comp because the state of Nevada sets all levels of coverage. So you really don’t need to crunch any numbers. When you sign up for workers' comp coverage and provide information about your company, you'll automatically receive the appropriate level of coverage.

(Here's another reason you and your employees don't have to worry about limits: technically, there's no financial cap on what an insurance company can pay in the event of an injury or illness. A severe injury that causes permanent impairment might require benefit payments for the rest of a worker's life, and workers' comp coverage would cover that instance.)

So, what do workers' compensation benefits cover in Nevada?

Workers' compensation is a no-fault insurance plan that pays for lost wages and medical expenses if a team member has an accident on the job or becomes ill from a work-related cause. For example, a team member can claim workers' comp benefits if they were exposed to harmful chemicals because of their job or injured their back while lifting a heavy box at work.

The idea behind the coverage is that it benefits the employer because workers' comp is an exclusive remedy for their employee, meaning the employer won't be sued when the injured employee accepts workers' compensation benefits.

Workers' comp also covers things like rehabilitation and the cost of driving to medical appointments. And, if the worst happens, workers' comp also pays death benefits. Here's a breakdown of the benefits, they include:

• Medical treatment. The medical care and management of the employee's work-related injury, disease, or disorder.
• Temporary Partial Disability (TPD). Temporary partial disability benefits are for injured workers who can only work at a reduced level until they recuperate.
• Temporary Total Disability (TTD). Temporary total disability benefits are for injured workers who can't work at all until they recuperate.
• Permanent Partial Disability (PPD). Permanent partial disability benefits are for injured workers who can still work, but not at the level they used to before the injury.
• Permanent Total Disability (PTD). Permanent total disability benefits are for injured workers who can no longer work at all.
• Vocational Rehabilitation. Training is offered to qualified workers in a different profession, based on their physical restrictions and education.
• Dependent benefits. If an employee passes away, benefits are paid to eligible dependents.
• Other benefits. Workers' comp offers mileage reimbursement for visits to medical facilities and other traveling related to the injury.

Benefits, also called disability awards, are paid as a multiple of the employee's average monthly wage and are usually capped at 2/3 of their income. They may be disbursed bi-weekly or in a lump sum, depending on the type of disability.

Important to note: In Nevada, workers' comp won't cover an employee who intentionally harmed themselves or someone else on the job. Also, if an employee is found to have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident, the claim will usually be denied. (It's pretty common-sense stuff.)

What if I believe my employee's workers' comp claim is invalid or fraudulent?

If you doubt the claim’s validity partly or entirely, you may contest your employee's workers' compensation claim with your insurance carrier. Or you can call the Workers' Compensation Fraud Unit at 1-800-266-8688. You may also want to hire a competent and experienced workers' comp attorney to help you navigate the process. This may be double-wise if your employee has already hired a personal injury attorney.

What do I need to do to comply with Nevada workers' compensation laws?

The State of Nevada gives the following instructions as a checklist in their workers' comp brochure:

Provide requisite workers' compensation insurance coverage and furnish a place of employment free from recognized hazards that may cause death or serious physical harm to employees.

Display prominently in your place of business the required workers' compensation information:

1. Informational poster to be displayed by employers (Form D-1)
2. Poster to be displayed by employers with employees who receive tips

Have available at all times and all locations for inspection by an agent of the Division of Industrial Relations or Attorney General:

1. The policy, including the declaration page issued by a private carrier; or
2. Certificate issued by the Commissioner if self-insured; or,
3. Certificate issued by the Commissioner and a certificate or letter issued by an association of self-insured public or private employers if a member of an association. Note: Temporary worksites (less than 1 year) must produce the above information within 24 hours.

Provide forms for employee use and complete injury or occupational disease reporting requirements and forward the required documents in the allowable time frame:

1. C-1, Notice of Injury or Occupational Disease (Incident Report) and
2. C-3, Employers' Report of Industrial Injury or Occupational Disease

What should I do if my employee is injured and needs to file a Nevada workers' compensation claim?

Take immediate action.

1. First, make sure your employee gets prompt medical attention if needed. This is your chief priority.
2. Ensure your employee has a copy of Form C-1: Notice of Injury or Occupational Disease (Incident Report). They'll need to fill this out and get it back to you within seven days.
3. Tell the employee that their doctor, chiropractor, or other health care provider must complete Form C-4, Employee's Claim for Compensation/Report of Initial Treatment.
4. Contact your insurance company. After evaluating the information from the medical provider and the rest of the details, your WC insurer will accept or deny the claim.
5. For more information and forms, visit the Nevada Department of Business and Industry, Division of Industrial Relations (DIR), Workers' Compensation Section (WCS).

Today's your lucky day because whether you have a pair of workers or a full house, you can get them the workers’ comp coverage they need. Keep in mind that you could be looking at a customized quote for Nevada workers' comp in about 5 minutes with Huckleberry. Everything is online. Everything is easy.