Kansas Workers’ Compensation

• Is Workers’ Compensation insurance required in Kansas?
• How does Workers’ Comp work in Kansas?
• How much is Workers’ Comp in Kansas?
• What if you don’t have Workers’ Compensation in Kansas?
• Who is exempt from Kansas Workers’ Compensation insurance?
• How NEXT helps Kansas small business owners

Is Workers’ Compensation insurance required in Kansas?

According to the Kansas Department of Labor, a non-agricultural business with a gross annual payroll of more than $20,000 must have workers’ compensation insurance. All payroll, whether paid in Kansas or elsewhere, must be included when determining whether an employer must have workers’ comp coverage.

At businesses where workers’ comp is required, full-time, part-time, seasonal, adult and minor employees must be covered.

Kansas workers’ compensation laws are designed to help protect both employees and employers.

Workers know their expenses will be covered in the event of a workplace injury or illness, while business owners can pay reasonable premiums for financial protection rather than risking large, unexpected expenses if an accident occurs.

Generally, workers’ comp insurance covers the following expenses related to a work injury or illness:

• Medical care
• Hospital bills
• Wage replacement
• Disability and death benefits

How does Workers’ Comp work in Kansas?

Workers’ comp can help your business pay for expenses related to work-related injuries for your employees or yourself (if you have owner’s coverage with your policy).

Typically, workers’ compensation insurance in Kansas includes coverage up to the policy limit for:

• Emergency treatment and medical expenses
• Lost wages income benefits
• Retraining if you can no longer do your job
• Permanent injury
• Death benefits and survivor benefits

Workers’ compensation does not cover incidents that are not job-related or situations when the injured person violates company policies, commits misconduct or uses drugs or alcohol.

Employees in Kansas who work for employers with workers’ compensation insurance receive benefits to cover most costs of work-related injuries, such as:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Permanent injury
• Survivor benefits

Workers’ Comp income benefits in Kansas

In addition to coverage for medical treatments, workers’ comp can also help to cover lost wages for qualifying Kansas employees. This includes the following types of disability compensation benefits:

Temporary total disability: The employee is unable to obtain any type of substantial, gainful employment due to their injury while recovering.

Permanent total disability: The employee’s injury permanently prevents them from obtaining substantial, gainful employment.

Permanent partial scheduled impairment: The employee sustains complete or partial loss of a use of a body part, such as an arm.

Permanent partial general disability: The employee sustains complete or partial disability not covered by the above category, such as the loss of use of feet or eyes.

Survivor benefits are also made available when a covered employee’s injury results in death. This includes compensation to whole or partial dependents or heirs as well as burial expenses up to $10,000.

In the event of a worker injury, employers must comply with the Kansas Department of Labor Division of Workers’ Compensation Practice and Procedure Guide and:

• Notify the Director of Workers’ Compensation within 28 days of notification from an injured employee.
• After receiving notice of an injury, provide the following information to the employee:
  • Benefits available under the Workers’ Compensation Act.
  • Process for making a claim for benefits.
  • Contact information for the person or organization processing claims.
  • Assistance available from the Director of Workers’ Compensation.

Learn more about workers’ compensation coverage.

How much is Workers’ Comp in Kansas?

Workers’ compensation costs vary across industries. Factors that influence price include:

• The number of employees and the type of work they do
• Your total payroll
• Your insurance claims history
• The locations where you do business

The best way to determine the insurance rate for your business is to get a free instant quote from NEXT.

What if you don’t have Workers’ Compensation in Kansas?

Employers can face serious penalties for failing to comply with Kansas workers’ compensation laws. Penalties may include:

Failure to secure workers’ compensation: Twice the annual premium or $25,000 (whichever is greater).

Failure to file accident reports within 28 days: $250 for each violation.

Who is exempt from Kansas Workers’ Compensation insurance?

Some employees are exempt from the requirement for workers’ comp coverage, including:

• Realtors who qualify as independent contractors.
• Some agricultural employees.
• Firefighters who belong to a firefighters’ relief association that has waived coverage.
• Owner-operator vehicle drivers covered by an occupational accident insurance policy.

In some cases, business owners are exempt from coverage even though they must still provide insurance for their employees if their payroll exceeds $20,000. This includes the following types of owners:

• Sole proprietors
• LLC members
• Partners

Although coverage for themselves isn’t required by law, many of these business owners still choose to get workers’ compensation insurance to help minimize their financial risk.

Employers have the option to self-insure instead of obtaining a workers’ compensation insurance policy if they can demonstrate their financial ability to pay for any claims that may occur.

Applicants for self-insurance must submit a surety bond or letter of credit to the Kansas Division of Workers’ Compensation in order to qualify.

How NEXT helps Kansas small business owners

NEXT offers an easy way to get a free workers’ compensation insurance quote, purchase coverage and instantly share a certificate of insurance in about 10 minutes.

NEXT strives to resolve every claim quickly. Learn more about our claims process and how our claims advocates will work with you after an employee injury.

Start a free instant quote with NEXT.

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