Are Seasonal Workers Eligible for Workers’ Compensation Benefits in California?

At Hanning & Sacchetto, LLP, our Pomona workers’ compensation attorneys know all California workers are protected by state labor laws regardless of full-time, part-time, or seasonal employment.

Companies across the state rely on an influx of workers in all types of industries over the summer months, including everyone from college students working in the tourism and hospitality industries over break to agricultural workers preparing for seasonal harvests.

Once a California employer hires you to perform a temporary, part-time, or seasonal job, you have certain essential rights that all workers have — including access to workers’ compensation benefits if you are hurt at work.

If your employer denies you from filing a workers’ compensation claim, or if its insurance company is challenging your claim, contact our experienced Los Angeles County attorneys to discuss your injuries today.

Are All California Employers Required to Have Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

Under the California Labor Code, all California employers with one or more employees must provide workers’ compensation benefits to their employees. California’s no-fault workers’ compensation laws were passed by the State Legislature to provide prompt, automatic benefits to workers throughout the state who are injured on the job.

This means California guarantees workers’ compensation eligibility for all employees, and that includes both seasonal and temporary employees whether they work part-time or full-time.

The California Workers’ Compensation Program provides compensation to employees for work-related injuries or illnesses, including medical treatment, temporary payment of lost wages, and permanent disability payments, and is the exclusive remedy for an employee who is injured on the job.

Can I Pursue a California Workers’ Compensation Claim If I Am an Independent Contractor?

Independent contractors in California are not eligible for workers’ compensation coverage because California employers are not required by state law to purchase coverage for them.

Contract workers are considered self-employed and not under the direct control or supervision of another company purchasing their services, which means they do not have access to the benefits the employer would provide hired employees.

What If I Was Hired as a Temporary Employee Through an Employment Agency?

It is not unusual for seasonal employees to find seasonal work through a temporary employment agency. If you were hired by an employment agency and were hurt at the workplace you were assigned to, issues regarding workers’ compensation liability can become complicated. Typically, the agency that hired you would be liable for your workers’ compensation benefits. However, the confusion regarding which company — the employment service or the business for which you were working — should not prevent you from seeking workers’ compensation benefits in California. We can help.

Contact Our Experienced Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Whittier, California Today

If you have been injured at work, whether you are a full-time worker or temporary, part-time employee, contact our Whittier workers’ compensation attorneys today by calling (562) 698-6446 to schedule a free consultation. We can help you understand your legal rights and options, including benefits you are entitled to if you are preparing to file a claim or help you appeal a denial.