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Wisconsin is a vibrant state known for its Midwestern charm. From the pristine shores of Lake Michigan to the rolling hills of the Driftless Area, the Badger State offers a diverse landscape that captivates visitors and residents alike. Renowned for its rich dairy farming tradition, Wisconsin is affectionately called "America’s Dairyland." Its allure extends beyond agriculture, with cities like Madison as hubs of innovation, education and culture.
As home to major industries ranging from manufacturing and healthcare to technology and tourism, Wisconsin presents many opportunities for businesses to flourish. When it comes to protecting your business and its employees, selecting the right workers’ compensation insurance is crucial.
Workers’ compensation is a state-mandated insurance program for employers with three or more employees. It’s designed to provide medical and financial protection for employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses.
Full and part-time workers are considered employees under Wisconsin workers’ compensation law.
Without workers’ compensation, the cost of an injured employee’s medical treatment could become the responsibility of your business.
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development administers the workers’ comp law in the state. The law requires employers with three or more employees to be covered by an active workers’ compensation insurance policy.
Workers’ comp coverage can be obtained through a partner like EverPeak Insurance. The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development can approve self-insured requests based on financial requirements.
Employees can use the Wisconsin Compensation Rating Bureau’s verification tool to ensure their employer has coverage.
Policies include protection for full and part-time employees.
Some exemptions from workers’ comp in Wisconsin 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.
Wisconsin workers’ comp insurance provides four types of benefits for work injuries:
The weekly compensation rate in Wisconsin is two-thirds of the employee’s average weekly wage, not to exceed a maximum amount set by the law.
Find more information on Wisconsin’s benefit rates.
In the event of a work-related injury or illness:
Employees in Wisconsin should report their injury to their employer immediately.
The employee should immediately seek medical attention.
Once notified of the injury, employers should file a report of the accident to their workers' compensation insurance carrier within seven days.
If an employer’s insurance provider accepts the claim, the worker should begin receiving benefits to cover medical expenses and lost wages.
Following their recovery, a worker is expected to resume work safely. If a work injury has left an injured employee unable to do any type of work, the employee might be entitled to permanent disability benefits.
In Wisconsin, the injured worker can select a doctor for treatment. If the injured worker isn’t satisfied with the initial doctor, they may choose a second doctor. They must notify their employer and workers’ comp insurer of the new selection. Any further changes must be mutually agreed upon by the employee, employer and workers’ comp insurer.
If an employee is out of work:
If an employee or employer wishes to dispute a claim, they can contact the Department of Workforce Development’s Workers’ Compensation Division for assistance.
Employers in Wisconsin with three 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 provide workers’ compensation coverage must pay twice the premium amount not paid during the uninsured period or $750, whichever is greater. The Workers’ Compensation Division may also order the employer to cease operations until the business obtains coverage.
In most cases, employees in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin. 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 unsure whether an independent contractor should be treated as an employee, seek 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 use the Wisconsin Compensation Rating Bureau’s verification tool to ensure their employer has coverage.