Start Here: Who Got Hurt?
The answer to “is this covered” depends entirely on this first question. A job site injury isn’t one type of claim, it’s several different scenarios that each route to different coverage.
If it was your own employee…
Ohio’s BWC-administered workers’ compensation system applies, and it generally covers medical expenses and lost wages regardless of whether the injury happened at your Columbus office or a temporary job site across town. Solid Insurance helps businesses navigate BWC’s specific reporting requirements, which differ somewhat from private workers’ comp systems in other states.
If it was a customer or visitor…
General liability insurance is what typically responds here, covering your business’s liability if you’re found responsible for a third party’s injury at a job site.
If it was a subcontractor’s employee…
This is the scenario that generates the most confusion. Depending on contract language and how the subcontractor’s own coverage is structured, liability could fall to their workers’ comp policy, your general liability policy, or a combination. Reviewing subcontractor agreements before work begins helps clarify this ahead of time.
If it was you, the business owner…
Sole proprietors and some business owners aren’t automatically covered by their own workers’ comp policy in Ohio. This is worth checking specifically if you’re a hands-on owner regularly present at job sites.
Why Job Sites Carry More Risk Than a Fixed Office
- Unfamiliar or uneven terrain increases fall risk
- Tools and equipment at a temporary location may not be secured the way they would be at a permanent facility
- Multiple businesses working simultaneously complicate liability if something goes wrong
If your business regularly sends employees to job sites away from your main Columbus location, it’s worth a direct conversation about whether your workers’ comp and general liability coverage actually reflect that. Reach out through Solid Insurance to review your coverage.
