North Coast Egress — read this before you hire anyone
If a worker gets hurt on your property and the contractor does not carry workers’ compensation, you can be the one who pays. Not the contractor. You.
Here is how that happens, and why “are you insured?” is the most important question you will ask.
Am I liable if a worker gets hurt on my property?
You can be. Egress work is not hanging drywall — it involves excavation, concrete cutting, heavy materials, and deep wells. If a laborer is injured and his employer has no workers’ comp, the attorney’s next call is to the property owner: you hired the contractor, the injury happened on your property, and someone has to cover the medical bills.
Your homeowner’s insurance might cover part of it — or it might not. Many policies exclude injuries to contractors’ employees or cap coverage far below a serious injury’s cost. Either way, you are in a legal fight you never signed up for, over a contractor’s decision to skip a basic legal requirement.
What does workers’ comp actually cover?
Workers’ compensation covers medical bills and lost wages when an employee is hurt on the job. In Ohio, employers are legally required to carry it through the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. When a contractor has it, an injured worker files a claim and the homeowner stays out of it. When a contractor does not have it, there is no system — just an injured person with medical bills and an attorney looking for someone to pay them.
Isn’t “insured” enough?
No — “insured” covers a lot of sins. There are two separate policies, and you need both:
- General liability — covers damage to your property
- Workers’ compensation — covers injuries to their workers
A contractor can carry liability insurance and still have no workers’ comp. Ask for both by name: “Can I see your certificate of insurance and your BWC certificate?” If that question makes them uncomfortable, you have learned everything you need to know.
How do I verify a contractor has workers’ comp?
- Ask for the certificate. Legitimate contractors carry copies. Check that the dates are current and the business name matches.
- Check Ohio BWC directly. The Bureau has a public employer lookup. If the contractor is not in the system, they are not covered.
- Check city registration. Most Ohio cities require proof of both policies before a contractor can register. No registration is itself a red flag.
What is the bottom line?
Workers’ comp costs the contractor money — which is exactly why the cheapest bid often leaves it out. When you compare quotes, you are not just comparing the price of a window. You are comparing whether the contractor has done the basic legal and financial things that keep you out of a lawsuit. Make them prove it, in writing, before anyone digs a hole in your yard.
North Coast Egress carries full general liability and Ohio BWC workers’ compensation coverage. Call 216-232-2629 for a free estimate.