Independent Contractor vs. Employee – What is the Practical Difference when it Comes to Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Decatur
It is an unfortunate truth that a workplace accident can happen to virtually any worker in virtually any occupation virtually in any location. Fortunately, when most workers get injured on the job in Decatur, they are entitled to important financial support called “workers compensation benefits” under Georgia workers’ compensation laws. Workers’ compensation benefits in Decatur include wage replacement benefits, medical expense reimbursement, vocational rehabilitation, and other important benefits to help compensate workers for their workplace injuries and to get them back on their feet and into fighting shape.
Accordingly, when a worker is injured in Decatur, one of the first things they may wonder is whether they are entitled to Georgia workers’ compensation benefits. As a threshold matter, whether the worker is an independent contractor or an employee is important to workers’ compensation eligibility in Decatur. But what is the practical difference between an independent contractor and an employee, and how does the classification of a worker impact their eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits in Decatur?
Independent Contractors vs. Employees
An independent contractor is, simply put, a person who is typically self-employed and who, for tax purposes, is typically characterized as a 1099 employee. This means that usually the self-employed worker receives payment for their work without federal tax withholding, and they are responsible for their own tax payments. As a self-employed individual, an independent contractor typically works for themselves and is not employed by a company or another individual.
On the other hand, an employee usually is a worker who is employed by a company or other individual to work. An employee is typically classified for tax purposes on a W-2 basis, and federal tax withholdings are taken out of their paycheck. A worker classified as an “employee” does not work for themselves and works for the employer or company.
Independent Contractors, Employees, and Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Decatur
Under Georgia workers’ compensation laws, typically only employees are entitled to workers compensation benefits through the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company. This is because under Georgia workers’ compensation laws, only employers are required to maintain workers’ compensation insurance. It is important to also note that although most employers in Decatur are required to maintain workers’ compensation insurance, there are exceptions to the law. To learn about your entitlement to workers’ compensation benefits in Decatur, it is best to speak with an experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyer.
Help with Your Decatur Workers’ Compensation Case
Whether a worker has been properly classified as an independent contractor or an employee is not always clear-cut. If you have questions about your Decatur workers’ compensation case, the experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyers at the O’Connell Law Firm are here to help. The experienced workers’ compensation lawyers at the O’Connell Law Firm offer a free and confidential consultation to learn about your case and to see if they can help get you Decatur workers’ compensation benefits due. Contact the experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyers at the O’Connell Law Firm today and speak to a lawyer about your case for free.
