rockwoodpapersealer

We have liability insurance, no real 'employees', so we do not have WC. (it's a minimum of $750 a year here and that is to 'exclude' yourself from workmans comp), in other words, the $750 is for paper shuffling and stating that you have workmans comp, but are excluding yourself from gaining anything from it. Anyway, we decided to have a helper. Does anyone have a helper that they don't provide workmans comp for? is it too risky and dangerous? What if you consider / hire them as a sub-contractor. Are you safe then? Can you legally ask this person to sign a waiver stating that they won't sue you if they get injured? Is that legal? It seems like a lot of money to have to pay $750 per season to pay workmans comp for this guy.... Is there a way to have this guy work for us, but not get screwed if he gets hurt or damages a customers property? It seems expensive, but I'd like to cover my basis... legally and reasonably.

I've been in touch with our local Labor Network. We can have our helper apply there as a temp and he'll be working only with us. We call Labor Network and let them know the hours/days we are using him. They're asking for $6.00 an hour for this service, which is for workmans comp and taxes (not the helpers hourly pay, of course). No minimum hours or days...

Thanks everyone. The helper is using our equipment and truck, which makes me nervous and I have heard from someone else about hiring him through a temp service and that covers the workmans comp. This is much much cheaper. I had inquired about it previously, but wasnt sure if it was legit or just a 'come on' from the temp agency. Celeste, thanks for turning me to this site... (You refered me from that 'other' place.) We have a TON of builders up here, I've never seen anyone pressure washing anything once a house is done here. Is the outside of the house that dirty that it needs to be washed? We'd love a contract like that (who wouldn't), is it a common out there to pressure wash new homes? The gears in my brain are turning...