Kansas

All Kansas employers in a non-agricultural business, with more than $20,000 in non-family payroll, must secure Kansas workers compensation insurance benefits for their employees.

Certain businesses with agricultural pursuits are exempt from carrying workers compensation insurance. Sole proprietors/Partnerships, where there are no employees, are exempt from carrying workers compensation insurance. Corporate officers or shareholders with 10% or more holdings in the corporation may elect to exempt themselves from workers compensation insurance coverage.

Also exempt, are realtors that are considered independent contractors, firefighters that fall under a firefighters relief association and some owner-operator vehicle drivers with their own coverage.

Independent contractors with no employees may choose to exempt themselves from carrying workers compensation insurance. However, if they do employ workers, once their total gross payroll exceeds $20,000, they must provide workers compensation insurance benefits to their employees.

Employers have 28 days to report an on-the-job accident. Failure to properly report any accident or to provide necessary coverage can result in considerable legal penalties and fines.