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Delaware Workers’ Comp Revisions

April 7th, 2007 Posted by Mark

Delaware, the First State, might not have been the first state to set up a workers’ comp system. Actually, I do not know who was the first state to do so, and I would be interested in finding out if somebody does know this. But nevertheless, First State or not, Delaware has some changes perhaps on the way for its workers’ comp system that all employers in the state should know about.

The Department of Labor in Delaware has adopted new requirements for workers’ comp coverage for employers in the state, which make it mandatory for all contractors, subcontractors, and independent contractors in the state to have workers’ comp insurance for themselves and for any of their workers. When it comes to independent contractors, however, the rule is slightly different. They can opt to buy their own workers’ comp insurance for themselves and their employees, according to this new rule, or they can opt to get their insurance through the general contractor that they are working for on a given project.

If a contractor, subcontractor or independent contractor fails to follow this new rule by the Delaware Department of Labor, they can face stiff daily penalties of $10 to $250. they could also face other civil and criminal penalties under the new law. These new rules went into effect on January 17, 2007, so I hope you contractors out there in the state of Delaware are already aware of them, and following them for your workers’ comp coverage.

If you do have any questions left at this point, however, feel free to contact the Department of Labor in the state, specifically a woman by the name of Linda Sewell, at 302-761-8200. You can also contact her by e-mail at the following work address for her: dlabor@state.de.us.