When starting a job as a campground worker or seasonal employee, most people ask about schedules, pay, or campsite perks, but one often overlooked question is whether the employer carries workers’ compensation insurance – coverage that could protect you if an accident happens on the job.
Many Workampers are unsure what workers’ comp is, how it applies to them, or what happens if they’re hurt while working. To clear things up, we spoke with Irene Jones, an insurance professional with more than 20 years of experience and 14 years working specifically with campgrounds and hospitality businesses.
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
The International Risk Management Institute defines workers’ compensation as:
“The system by which no-fault statutory benefits prescribed in state law are provided to an employee (or employee’s family) due to job-related injury (including death) resulting from an accident and occupational disease.”
In simpler terms, if you’re injured at work and your claim is covered, the insurance pays for medical expenses and part of your lost wages. It’s not the same as disability insurance, which only applies if you get hurt away from work.
“Since Workampers may work in several states over the course of their travels, they can’t assume the rules will always be the same,” Irene explained. “That’s why it’s important to ask each employer if workers’ compensation is in place and how injuries would be managed.”
She also recommends asking about safety training. Even something as simple as an owner walking you through the machinery and grounds can reduce the chance of workplace accidents.
What Happens If You’re Injured on the Job?
If you get hurt while working:
- Report the injury immediately to your supervisor.
- Your employer must help you file a claim, if needed, with their insurance provider.
- The insurance covers doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and other required treatment.
- If you can’t work for a while, it may also cover a portion of your lost wages.
- In some cases, workers’ comp includes vocational rehabilitation if you can’t return to your old job.
To keep your benefits, cooperate fully with the reporting process and attend all required medical appointments. Many policies also require you to use certain doctors or networks.
What If You’re Hurt During Off Hours?
A common question among Workampers is whether workers’ comp applies if they live on-site but are injured when not working.
Irene clarified: it depends on whether you were on duty.
- If you’re mowing lawns, cleaning bathrooms, or staffing the office, coverage applies.
- If you’re walking your dog, cooking dinner, or relaxing at your RV, it usually doesn’t.
She noted that gray areas exist, especially for hosts or gate guards who are “on call.” Being available is not the same as actively working, so clear communication with your employer about hours and duties is crucial.
W-2 Employees vs. 1099 Contractors vs. Volunteers
Not all workers are treated the same under workers’ compensation law:
W-2 Employees
If you’re inured on the job and you were hired as a W-2 employee, you should be covered by workers’ comp (assuming your employer has insurance). This applies even if part of your pay is an exchange for housing or an RV site. The fair market value of that housing counts as wages for insurance purposes.
1099 Independent Contractors
Independent contractors are expected to supply their own tools, set their own hours, and carry their own insurance. If you truly operate this way, you aren’t covered by your employer’s policy.
However, if you use the employer’s equipment, follow their direction, and are paid like an employee, regulators may decide you should have been covered. In those cases, the employer’s insurance may be forced to step in.
Volunteers
Volunteers at for-profit businesses are generally not recognized under workers’ compensation law. In these situations, the work is usually treated as either employment or contract labor, not true volunteering. Volunteers at nonprofits may be covered under special policies, or may need to rely on their own medical insurance if injured.
Why Workers’ Compensation Matters
Workers’ comp is more than a legal requirement — it’s a safety net. It ensures that if something goes wrong, you won’t be buried under medical bills or left without income. Without it, your only option may be a lawsuit, which is costly, stressful, and uncertain.
Most states require employers to make their workers’ compensation coverage visible by posting notices in break rooms or including the details in onboarding materials.
“It’s your right to know,” Irene emphasized. “Even if you’re working in exchange for a campsite, you’re providing labor, and you should expect protection through workers’ compensation.”
The Dangers of Workers’ Compensation Fraud
Workers’ comp is designed to protect employees, but it can be abused. Fraud occurs when someone:
- Exaggerates an injury.
- Claims an injury happened at work when it didn’t.
- Collects benefits while secretly working another job.
“Employers and insurance companies watch closely for fraud,” Irene warned. “If they suspect false claims, they will investigate.”
Consequences for fraud include losing benefits, repaying money, termination, and even criminal charges. Fraud also raises costs for businesses and makes them hesitant to hire – hurting honest workers in the process.
Final Thoughts
For Workampers and seasonal employees, workers’ compensation provides peace of mind. It ensures you’re not left alone with medical bills if you’re injured while serving guests, maintaining property, or handling other work duties.
Before accepting a job, ask about:
- The employer’s workers’ comp coverage.
- How safety training is handled.
- Whether you’ll be classified as a W-2 employee, 1099 contractor, or volunteer.
A safe, responsible employer will provide training and carry insurance to protect their workers. By knowing your rights and responsibilities, you can make smarter decisions about where to work and feel more secure on the job.
For more information, visit the workers’ compensation page on the U.S. Department of Labor website and find the workers’ compensation website for the state where you’re employed. Here is the Arkansas Workers Compensation Commission website, for example.
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