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Mississippi offers a distinct blend of Southern charm and rich history, from the vibrant culture of cities like Jackson to the serene landscapes along the Mississippi River.
With a thriving economy spanning various industries, the Magnolia State provides a wealth of opportunities for businesses to grow and thrive. When it comes to protecting your business and employees, securing the right workers' compensation insurance is essential.
Workers' compensation is a state-mandated insurance program for employers with five or more employees. It’s designed to provide medical and financial protection for employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses.
Without workers’ compensation, the cost of a work-related injured or ill employee’s medical treatment could become the responsibility of your business.
The Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission is responsible for administering the workers’ comp law in Mississippi. The law requires employers with five or more employees to be covered by an active workers’ compensation insurance policy.
Full and part-time workers are covered under Mississippi’s workers’ compensation law.
Workers’ comp coverage can be obtained through a partner like EverPeak Insurance. The Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission can approve self-insured requests based on financial and claims history.
Employees can verify online if their employer has coverage.
Policies include protection for full-time and part-time workers.
Some exemptions from workers’ comp in Mississippi include:
Workers' compensation covers a range of work-related injuries and illnesses, including physical injuries resulting from an accident and occupational diseases developed over time due to job conditions.
Mississippi workers’ comp insurance provides three types of benefits for work injuries:
The weekly compensation rate in Mississippi is two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage and is subject to a maximum weekly amount.
Find more information on Mississippi’s workers’ compensation rates.
In the event of a work-related injury or illness:
Under Mississippi’s workers’ compensation law, an injured worker has the right to choose one physician or medical provider to render treatment.
The chosen provider may make one referral to another specialist to continue treatment without any approval from the employer or its insurance carrier. Any additional selections or referrals must be approved by the employer or insurance carrier.
If an employee is out of work:
To resolve a workers’ compensation claim dispute, an injured worker can contact the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission.
Employers in Mississippi with five or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance or qualify for self-insurance. Compliance with this requirement is essential to protect both the employer and employees.
When selecting a workers' compensation insurance provider, consider factors such as the provider's experience in the industry, financial stability, coverage options, claims process, customer service, and cost.
We recommend requesting multiple quotes and comparing the offerings before making a decision.
Covering your business and employees with a trusted insurance partner — like EverPeak — brings peace of mind so you can focus on your bottom line.
Employers who fail to secure workers’ compensation coverage required by Mississippi law may face statutory criminal and civil penalties including a fine of up to $1,000 and possible imprisonment.
In most cases, employees in Mississippi are barred from suing their employers for work-related injuries or illnesses. The workers' compensation system provides an exclusive remedy, meaning that employees typically cannot file a lawsuit against their employers. Instead, they must pursue a workers' compensation claim to receive benefits for their injuries or illnesses.
Generally, independent contractors aren’t covered by workers' compensation insurance in Mississippi. Workers' compensation laws typically apply to employees rather than independent contractors.
However, it's important to note that the classification of a worker as an independent contractor or an employee can be complex, and misclassification can lead to legal disputes. If you’re unsure about your classification, we recommend seeking legal guidance.
Ideally, the incident should be reported immediately or within a few days of the occurrence. Prompt reporting helps ensure the necessary steps are taken to initiate the workers' compensation claims process.
Employees can verify online if their employer has coverage.