Workers Compensation for Landscapers

Workers compensation for landscapers is the difference between a quick recovery and a financial disaster if one of your employees gets hurt on the job. Landscaping comes with heavy lifting, sharp tools, and unpredictable terrain. If one of your employees gets injured, workers comp ensures their medical bills are covered and paychecks keep coming.

What Is Workers Compensation?

Workers compensation (or workers comp) is a type of business insurance that provides financial and medical benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. It helps employees get the necessary care while protecting employers from expensive lawsuits.

In most U.S. states it’s a legal requirement for businesses that have employees. Having a workers comp policy keeps your landscaping business compliant and your team protected.

What Does It Cover?

Workers compensation for landscapers typically covers:

Medical expenses: Covers hospital visits, doctor consultations, medications, and surgeries for work-related injuries
Rehabilitation: Pays for physical therapy and occupational therapy to help employees recover
Disability pay: Provides temporary or permanent disability benefits if an employee is unable to return to work
Missed wages: Replaces a portion of lost income while the employee recovers
Legal fees: Covers legal expenses if an employee sues over a workplace injury
Funeral costs: Covers funeral and burial expenses in case of a fatal work accident
Survivor benefits: Provides financial support to the family of a deceased worker

What Isn’t Covered?

Workers comp for landscapers does not cover the following:

Injuries or illnesses sustained outside of work
Intentional injuries or self-inflicted harm
Injuries resulting from drug or alcohol use
Injuries caused by an employee’s reckless behavior or violation of safety protocols (subject to state regulations)
Independent contractors or subcontractors (unless specifically covered in your policy)

Do Landscaping Businesses Need Workers Compensation?

Yes. In 49 states, landscaping businesses that have employees are legally required to carry workers compensation insurance. Even if not mandatory, having coverage helps protect your business from costly medical expenses, lost wages, and potential lawsuits from work-related employee injuries.

Who Needs Workers Compensation?

All landscaping businesses with employees need workers compensation insurance. Some common roles that could use this coverage include:

Lawn care: Employees operate mowers, edgers, and trimmers, which can lead to injuries.
Tree trimming and removal: Workers cut trees, use chainsaws, and handle large branches, posing significant risks.
Landscape design and installation: Employees move heavy materials, work with power tools, and operate heavy equipment.
Gardening and plant care: Workers handle sharp tools, lift heavy soil bags, and are exposed to pesticides, allergens, and extreme weather conditions.

See how workers comp works hand-in-glove with insurance for businesses just like yours:

Common Risks in the Landscaping Industry

One small accident can turn into a big expense. These real-life landscaping claims show why having the right protection matters.

Sprains and strains: Heavy lifting and repetitive movements can cause muscle and joint injuries. One wrong move and your employee pulls a muscle or strains their back. Lost workdays and medical bills add up fast.
Cuts and lacerations: A landscaper loses focus for a second while trimming hedges and ends up with a deep gash. Now they’re in urgent care, facing stitches, surgery, or weeks off the job, while you’re dealing with all the expenses.
Heat-related illnesses: Intense heat and physical labor push your employee past their limit. They collapse from heat exhaustion and need emergency medical attention. Without coverage, you’ll take the heat for hospital bills and lost wages.
Equipment accidents: A mower blade kicks up a rock, striking an employee’s leg. Power tools and heavy machinery cause serious injuries in an instant. One accident could mean expensive surgeries and time off work.
Falling objects: A worker trims branches overhead when one snaps off unexpectedly, hitting them hard — along with the financial burden on you. A head or back injury could lead to long-term disabilities and costly medical care.
Slip-and-fall accidents: Your employee loses their footing on a stone walkway, fractures their wrist, and faces weeks off work. When they slip, the responsibility falls on you.
Pest bites and allergic reactions: While clearing brush, an employee disturbs a hornet’s nest. Within minutes, they’re in an ambulance with a severe allergic reaction, and the medical bills could sting you just as badly.

It’s easy to brush these risks off as just part of the work, but they can have lasting consequences for both your team and your business. Take, for example, the case of Wiggins v. BrightView Landscape Services:

A landscaper suffered serious injuries due to malfunctioning equipment, leading to a legal battle that resulted in a $2.5 million verdict against the employer. This case underscores how a single workplace injury can spiral into an expensive, drawn-out lawsuit that disrupts operations for years.

Beyond legal costs, workplace injuries can lead to extended downtime, a loss of skilled labor, and high turnover rates, as employees may not feel safe on the job. Being short-staffed for weeks can make it harder to meet deadlines and keep customers satisfied. Workers comp protect both your team and your business from financial headaches.

How Much Does Workers Comp for Landscapers Cost?

The cost of workers compensation insurance depends on several factors.

Nature of work: Higher-risk activities like tree trimming or using heavy machinery can lead to higher premiums.
State regulations: Each state has different workers comp laws, and rates vary based on location. Some states have state-run programs, and others allow private insurers.
Payroll classification codes: Workers comp rates are based on classification codes assigned by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) or state agencies. Landscaping businesses fall under specific risk categories that factor into premiums.
Total payroll: Workers compensation premiums are calculated as a percentage of payroll. The more employees you have and the higher their wages, the more you’ll pay for coverage.

For example, a landscaping business in Florida with employees classified under NCCI Class Code 0042 pays an average workers comp rate of $4.81 per $100 of payroll.

For a $200,000 payroll, that translates to:

$200,000 ÷ 100 = $2,000
$2,000 × $4.81 = $9,620

The business would pay about $9,620 annually for workers comp.

How to Apply for Landscaping Workers Compensation Coverage

Workers compensation insurance is not included in a general liability or business owner’s policy, so you’ll need to purchase it separately. Here’s how to apply:

Figure out what you need: Check your state’s requirements and determine how many employees need coverage.
Gather your business info: Have details like payroll estimates, job duties, and past claims history handy.
Get general liability insurance: If you don’t already have a landscaping liability policy, get that first — it’s a prerequisite for adding workers compensation.
Start your application: Submit your information through Insurance Canopy’s simple online application process.
Review and buy your policy: We’ll provide an instant customized quote. Review the quote and purchase coverage when you’re ready.
Tell your employees about their coverage: Let your workers know about their coverage, including how to report workplace injuries.

How to Lower Your Workers Comp Costs

A safer workplace means fewer injuries, fewer claims, and can even mean lower insurance costs! Use this checklist to protect your team and keep your premiums under control.

Give training on safety practices and procedures: Provide hands-on training for equipment handling, lifting techniques, and hazard awareness. Hold regular safety meetings and refresher courses to reinforce best practices.
Provide safety gear and personal protective equipment (PPE): Supply workers with gloves, safety goggles, hearing protection, high-visibility vests, and sturdy work boots. Keep all gear in good condition and use it correctly. Regularly inspect and replace damaged or worn-out protective gear.
Encourage breaks and hydration: Require scheduled breaks to prevent fatigue-related accidents and exhaustion. Provide shaded rest areas and plenty of drinking water on-site (especially in extreme heat).
Keep equipment in good shape: Implement a routine maintenance schedule for mowers, trimmers, chainsaws, and other landscaping tools. Have employees inspect equipment before use and report any issues immediately to prevent accidents.
Report injuries early: Encourage workers to report injuries as soon as they happen, no matter how minor they seem. Address reports quickly to ensure faster medical treatment and reduce disputes.

Questions About Workers Compensation for Landscapers

Do I need workers compensation if I’m a sole proprietor?

In most states, sole proprietors aren’t required to carry workers compensation unless you have employees. Some states mandate coverage if you hire subcontractors, while most require coverage if you have any employees.

What happens if my workers comp claim is denied?

If your claim is denied, you can appeal the decision by providing additional documentation, such as medical records, accident reports, and witness statements. Each state has a workers compensation board that handles disputes.

Can workers compensation be used for both injuries and illnesses?

Yes. Workers comp covers both acute injuries (such as broken bones) and occupational illnesses (like respiratory conditions from exposure to chemicals or allergic reactions).

Don’t Leave Your Employees and Your Business Vulnerable!

A solid workers comp plan keeps your team covered and your business running smoothly. Don’t wait for an accident to remind you why it matters. Protect your landscaping business by protecting your employees. Get started today with a customized quote!