Which category of workers is exempt from workers' compensation benefits in many states?

Independent contractors are typically exempt from workers’ compensation benefits in many states because they are not classified as employees. Instead, independent contractors operate as separate business entities. This distinction is significant because workers' compensation laws are designed to cover employees who are injured on the job, reflecting the employer's responsibility to provide a safe working environment and to compensate for injuries sustained during employment.

Employers do not have the same obligation to provide workers' compensation insurance for independent contractors. This is based on the premise that independent contractors have the autonomy to control how they perform their work and are financially responsible for the tools and methods they employ, which is different from the relationship between an employer and an employee.

The exemption for independent contractors can vary by jurisdiction and specific circumstances, but generally, it holds true across many states. In contrast, federal employees, part-time workers, and seasonal employees usually have coverage under workers' compensation, as they fall within the employer-employee relationship.