Mississippi workers' compensation insurance: Your ultimate guide
Everything to know about workers’ compensation for
Mississippi
businesses
What does workers’ compensation cover?
A standard workers’ comp policy covers four primary areas: medical expenses, lost wages, employer liability and ongoing rehabilitation. EverPeak policies ensure your crew gets the care they need to return to work safely while protecting your business from the costs of workplace accidents.
Medical care
Coverage for the necessary treatment resulting from a work-related injury or illness.
Lost wages
Partial pay for employees unable to work while recovering from an injury.
Legal protection
Financial support for your business if an employee files a lawsuit related to an accident.
Ongoing care
Rehabilitation and training to support employees re-enter the workforce, and ongoing benefits for permanent injuries.
Death benefits
Financial support for the families.
What are
Mississippi
's workers' comp laws?
Mississippi offers a distinct blend of Southern charm and rich history, from the vibrant culture of cities like Jackson to the serene landscapes along the Mississippi River.
With a thriving economy spanning various industries, the Magnolia State provides a wealth of opportunities for businesses to grow and thrive. When it comes to protecting your business and employees, securing the right workers' compensation insurance is essential.
What is workers' compensation?
Workers' compensation is a state-mandated insurance program for employers with five or more employees. It’s designed to provide medical and financial protection for employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses.
Without workers’ compensation, the cost of a work-related injured or ill employee’s medical treatment could become the responsibility of your business.
Mississippi workers' compensation rules
The Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission is responsible for administering the workers’ comp law in Mississippi. The law requires employers with five or more employees to be covered by an active workers’ compensation insurance policy.
Full and part-time workers are covered under Mississippi’s workers’ compensation law.
Workers’ comp coverage can be obtained through a partner like EverPeak Insurance. The Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission can approve self-insured requests based on financial and claims history.
Employees can verify online if their employer has coverage.
Who is covered and exempt from
Mississippi
workers' comp?
Who is covered?
Policies include protection for full-time and part-time workers.
Some exemptions from workers’ comp in Mississippi include:
- Domestic employees
- Farm laborers
- Employees of non-profit fraternal, charitable, religious or cultural organizations
Covered injuries and illnesses
Workers' compensation covers a range of work-related injuries and illnesses, including physical injuries resulting from an accident and occupational diseases developed over time due to job conditions.
Benefits provided
Mississippi workers’ comp insurance provides three types of benefits for work injuries:
- Medical benefits
- Lost wages
- Death benefits
- Medical treatment for work-related accidents, injuries and/or illnesses
- Mileage reimbursement for trips to the doctor
- Temporary disability benefits
- Permanent disability benefits
- Death benefits to the surviving family
Mississippi workers’ compensation rates
The weekly compensation rate in Mississippi is two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage and is subject to a maximum weekly amount.
Find more information on Mississippi’s workers’ compensation rates.
How much does workers’ comp cost in
Mississippi
?
How do you file a workers’ compensation claim in
Mississippi
?
Filing a workers' compensation claim
In the event of a work-related injury or illness:
- Employees in Mississippi should report their injury to their employer within 30 days of the accident and immediately seek medical attention.
- Once notified, employers should file a report of the accident or disease immediately to their workers' compensation insurance carrier.
Choosing a healthcare provider
Under Mississippi’s workers’ compensation law, an injured worker has the right to choose one physician or medical provider to render treatment.
The chosen provider may make one referral to another specialist to continue treatment without any approval from the employer or its insurance carrier. Any additional selections or referrals must be approved by the employer or insurance carrier.
Compensation for missed work
If an employee is out of work:
- Less than five days: They are not eligible for temporary disability payments.
- More than five but less than 14 days: They are eligible for lost time benefits beginning on the sixth day.
- More than 14 days: They are eligible for benefits retroactive to the first day they stopped work.
Resolving disputes
To resolve a workers’ compensation claim dispute, an injured worker can contact the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission.
How to get workers' compensation
Insurance requirements for employers
Employers in Mississippi with five or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance or qualify for self-insurance. Compliance with this requirement is essential to protect both the employer and employees.
Choosing the right insurance provider
When selecting a workers' compensation insurance provider, consider factors such as the provider's experience in the industry, financial stability, coverage options, claims process, customer service, and cost.
We recommend requesting multiple quotes and comparing the offerings before making a decision.
Covering your business and employees with a trusted insurance partner — like EverPeak — brings peace of mind so you can focus on your bottom line.
FAQs
Enforcing safety protocols, providing proper employee training, maintaining a clean and hazard-free work environment, and regularly reviewing safety practices can significantly reduce workplace injuries.
Your premium is primarily determined by your industry payroll classifications, geographic location and total annual payroll. Your business’s safety history can also play a major role in determining your final rate. Three key factors influence your base insurance rate:
- Industry classification codes: Higher-hazard trades naturally carry higher baseline rates.
- Geographic location: Rates and statutory benefit structures fluctuate heavily by state lines.
- Historical safety record: Maintaining an accident-free workplace lowers your Experience Modification Rate (E-mod), resulting in built-in premium discounts.
Most states require businesses with employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance to stay compliant. Requirements vary by location, but having coverage ensures your business is protected and your team has access to benefits if an injury occurs.
Employees can verify online if their employer has coverage through the state’s online search tool.
Ideally, the incident should be reported immediately or within a few days of the occurrence. Prompt reporting helps ensures the necessary steps are taken to initiate the workers' compensation claims process.
Whether you need coverage for contractors depends entirely on your state’s specific regulatory definitions and formal worker classification tests. Since misclassification regulations are highly complex and can lead to severe audits or stop-work orders, it’s vital to ensure your entire labor force is properly verified and protected based on the actual day-to-day work they do.
Learn more: Do independent contractors need workers’ compensation?
In most cases, employees in Virginia are barred from suing their employers for work-related injuries or illnesses. The workers' compensation system provides an exclusive remedy, meaning that employees typically cannot file a lawsuit against their employers. Instead, they must pursue a workers' compensation claim to receive benefits for their injuries or illnesses.
In Virginia, employers who fail to procure or sustain the appropriate workers' compensation coverage for their employees may face civil fines of up to $250 per day of non-compliance. Failure to adhere to this requirement can reach a maximum of $50,000 in fines.
Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that benefits employers and employees in the case of a work-related injury or illness.
Why choose EverPeak for workers’ comp coverage?
EverPeak protects the hardest-working businesses in (state) with simple, reliable workers’ comp starting as low as $18 a month. Backed by over a century of specialized experience, customers get multi-state coverage, fast and easy claims support, and a vast network of brokers.