No Workers Comp coverage?

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So I filled out my HR paperwork for my GN position on Friday. In the paperwork was a form I had to sign acknowledging that I am aware they do not carry Workers Compensation coverage.

Is this common? Basically this means if I get hurt on the job I'm SOL for my medical costs/lost work time etc being paid, correct? Do I reconsider taking the position because of this, or is this somewhat common? Please give me your thoughts on this, because I don't really know what to think.

Interestingly enough WC is effectively compulsory for 49/50 states. (Wyoming requires WC for hazardous occupations but allows self insurance for other occupations. NJ is elective under law but in practice it is compulsory.)

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/Education.

Here we go again with sweeping generalizations about Texas. (And Lord knows, as a die-hard Sooner, I never thought I'd be defending the Lonestar State!)

I worked in two different hospitals in Oklahoma that didn't subscribe to WC. If people were injured on the job, their case was handled through the Employee/Occupational Health department.

I've worked in two different hospitals (in 10 years) here in Texas. I'm not sure about the previous, but at my current, there is no WC program. It's the same as I've describe in a previous post.

Our people are taken care of if they are injured on the job. Period. That includes referrals, rehab, surgery...whatever it takes. Not doing so would open up the facility to huge liability (& not to mention bad karma!) and no business wants that exposure.

To the OP and others in a similar situation...please look at both sides of the coin when making this decision. I'm not saying our system is the best, but it sure as heck isn't the evil empire of corruption as some describe.

Thank you for reading...now I will don my flame-retardant scrubs...

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Here we go again with sweeping generalizations about Texas. (And Lord knows, as a die-hard Sooner, I never thought I'd be defending the Lonestar State!)

I worked in two different hospitals in Oklahoma that didn't subscribe to WC. If people were injured on the job, their case was handled through the Employee/Occupational Health department.

I've worked in two different hospitals (in 10 years) here in Texas. I'm not sure about the previous, but at my current, there is no WC program. It's the same as I've describe in a previous post.

Our people are taken care of if they are injured on the job. Period. That includes referrals, rehab, surgery...whatever it takes. Not doing so would open up the facility to huge liability (& not to mention bad karma!) and no business wants that exposure.

To the OP and others in a similar situation...please look at both sides of the coin when making this decision. I'm not saying our system is the best, but it sure as heck isn't the evil empire of corruption as some describe.

Thank you for reading...now I will don my flame-retardant scrubs...

IF it works, good....and WC was instituted to protect the employer, not the employee, anyway......

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

What if you get a needle stick and get AIDS, can you afford to pay for the medical expenses for that? I would look for a different job! Most insurances I have ever applied for ask if you have a Workman's comp injury because they will not pay for it. I am sure if you got an injury on the job and had to get new insurance at any time the would probably deny you.

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At the very least if you do accept this job make sure that you sign up for as much short and long term disability sa you can get.....

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What was described by STJ was a system of self insurance that was mandated by OK law. The state laws usually require either WC through a state plan or purchase. Texas Law does not require either. One of the reasons we have WC is to provide a safety net for injured workers. Companies who fail to assure for the protection of workers are being irresponsible IMO.

If they are not carrying WC insurance or self insuring we end up with a system where taxpayers as a whole are paying for rehabilitation and income replacement rather than the responsible employer. (Not that I personally mind taxpayers footing the bill but it does say that we as a society are not willing to make employers fulfill their end of the social contract.)

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Specializes in Government.

I was a work comp case manager for years and my company worked in several states. Every state is completely different. Some states make WC cover legitimate injuries soup to nuts and pay out cash payments for any permanent injury and then retraining on top of that. But WC in other states can be an enormous pain.

I'd be happier with an organization that would take care of me in-house than some states where I had to fight WC for every prescription.

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/Education.
What was described by STJ was a system of self insurance that was mandated by OK law. The state laws usually require either WC through a state plan or purchase. Texas Law does not require either. One of the reasons we have WC is to provide a safety net for injured workers. Companies who fail to assure for the protection of workers are being irresponsible IMO.

If they are not carrying WC insurance or self insuring we end up with a system where taxpayers as a whole are paying for rehabilitation and income replacement rather than the responsible employer. (Not that I personally mind taxpayers footing the bill but it does say that we as a society are not willing to make employers fulfill their end of the social contract.)

Thanks for explaining it more thoroughly!

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Specializes in Telemetry.

Thanks for all the replies on this.

It seems to me that it would be impossible for such a large hospital (and hospital system) to get away with not taking care of employees injured on the job. With the size of the hospital system, you know there must be plenty of occurrences- speaking from the standpoint of odds. If they didn't have something in place to take care of those hurt on the job, my bet is that they would be out of business because of lawsuits. I know they have employee health, and I'm going to call HR and ask about how they handle workplace injuries. My feeling is that it will be ok. I think I'll also look into something like AFLAC if they don't have plenty of disability coverage.

I would be really disappointed if I couldn't take this position because of the risks involved with not having WC. I love the hospital and position- it was my first choice of everything- first choice specialty, first choice hospital, and I've met alot of the nurses and they all seem happy there and are welcoming and friendly, and the director seems great.

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