Lawyers, Law Firms and Attorneys need to be up to speed on their states requirements for workers compensation coverage.
Lawyers and attorneys are legal professionals who are entrusted by a client for advice in handling some or all of their legal matters. This can include but is not limited to drafting legal documents, contracts and representing clients in a legal action. Lawyers and attorneys are held to a high degree of professional knowledge and skill. For this reason any mistake they make can result in tremendous loss to the people and businesses they represent. For that reason they are sued more frequently than other professions. For that reason they need to carry professional liability insurance, but if they employ other people or are part of a larger firm than they must also carry workers’ compensation coverage. In most cases it is best for a lawyer to carry all of these policies through one carrier in what is called a Business Owners Package (BOP).
In regards to workers compensation coverage a law firm is subject to the individual states laws governing the workers compensation system. Depending on the set up of the practice and how many employees it employs it may or may not be required to carry this coverage. Even if it is not required by law it may be in the best interest of the practice to carry the coverage any ways. Most Workers Compensation Policies cover the costs of some lost wages and medical costs for workers that are injured on the job. It can also benefit the business by protecting it by covering most legal fees that result from those injuries to employees while working at your practice.
The main classification code given to Lawyers/Attorneys by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) is 8820, This classification applies to all employees of a law firm including attorneys, clerical, messengers, and couriers.