Do You Need Workers’ Compensation for a Small Landscaping Crew?

If you operate a small landscaping business in Georgia, understanding your legal obligations around workers’ compensation insurance is essential. While it might seem like an unnecessary expense for a small crew, Georgia law has clear requirements that could impact your business if ignored.

Georgia’s Legal Threshold

In Georgia, any business that regularly employs three or more people is required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This typically includes full-time, part-time and seasonal workers. Even if your landscaping crew consists of just three part-time employees, you may be legally obligated to offer coverage. Importantly, if your business is incorporated or an LLC, officers and members are typically counted as employees.

Why Landscaping Businesses Are High-Risk

Landscaping typically involves physically demanding tasks and the use of potentially dangerous equipment. Workers face risks such as:

• Cuts and lacerations from tools

• Back injuries from lifting heavy materials

• Heat exhaustion or sunstroke

• Slips and falls on uneven terrain

Given these hazards, workers’ compensation insurance is not just a legal requirement; it’s a smart way to protect your employees and your business from costly medical bills and potential lawsuits.

What the Insurance Covers

Workers’ compensation in Georgia can typically help with the following:

• Medical expenses related to work injuries

• Lost wages during recovery

• Rehabilitation services

• Disability benefits

• Death benefits for families in the event of a fatal accident

What If You Don’t Comply?

Without workers’ compensation insurance your business could face civil penalties, criminal charges and even business closure. The Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation actively enforces compliance, and ignorance of the law is not a valid defense.

Learn More

For workers’ compensation insurance near you, contact Alliance Insurance & Realty.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.