Louisiana workers comp requirements decide exactly when an employer must carry coverage, who counts toward the threshold, and the penalty for going without. This guide breaks down the Louisiana workers comp requirements in plain English. (Injured instead of hiring? See our Louisiana settlement and claim guides linked below.) All figures are from Louisiana sources, verified as of June 2026.
Louisiana at a Glance
| Required at | 1 employee(s) |
| Which workers count | Coverage is required from the first employee, counting full-time, part-time, temporary, seasonal, and minor workers from their first day; there is no separate construction-only rule because the 1-employee mandate already applies to all industries (La. R.S. 23:1168). |
| Who is exempt | Domestic employees in private homes; certain agricultural/farm laborers (an unincorporated farm worker earning $1,000 or less per year where total farm payroll is $2,500 or less); musicians and performers under performance contracts; most real estate salespersons; uncompensated officers/directors of certain nonprofits; public officials; and workers covered by federal acts (e.g., railroad/FELA, longshore). Sole proprietors, partners, and LLC members with no other employees are not themselves required to be covered. |
| Penalty for going without | Civil penalty (La. R.S. 23:1170) of up to 250 per employee for a first offense and up to 500 per employee for a second or subsequent offense, with a first-offense cap of 10000 for all related violations. Willful failure (La. R.S. 23:1172) is a criminal offense punishable by a fine of up to 250 per day of noncompliance and/or imprisonment with or without hard labor for up to 1 year; two prior R.S. 23:1170/1171 penalties within a 3-year period establish a prima facie case of willfulness. |
| Monopolistic state? | No — private carriers |
In This Louisiana Guide:
Is Workers’ Comp Required in Louisiana?
Yes — Louisiana requires nearly every employer to carry workers’ compensation coverage from the very first employee (full-time, part-time, seasonal, or minor), with no minimum employee count.
Louisiana Workers’ Comp Requirements at a Glance
Here are the exact Louisiana workers comp requirements every employer should know:
| Employees that trigger the mandate | 1 |
| Which workers count | Coverage is required from the first employee, counting full-time, part-time, temporary, seasonal, and minor workers from their first day; there is no separate construction-only rule because the 1-employee mandate already applies to all industries (La. R.S. 23:1168). |
| Who is exempt | Domestic employees in private homes; certain agricultural/farm laborers (an unincorporated farm worker earning $1,000 or less per year where total farm payroll is $2,500 or less); musicians and performers under performance contracts; most real estate salespersons; uncompensated officers/directors of certain nonprofits; public officials; and workers covered by federal acts (e.g., railroad/FELA, longshore). Sole proprietors, partners, and LLC members with no other employees are not themselves required to be covered. |
| Owners & officers | Yes — a bona fide corporate president, vice president, secretary, or treasurer who owns at least 10% of the stock, a partner, an LLC member owning at least a 10% membership interest, or a sole proprietor may elect NOT to be covered by written agreement with the insurer or group self-insurance fund; the election applies to all trades/businesses of that entity, and the excluded person’s pay is not used in computing premium (La. R.S. 23:1035). Louisiana does not issue exemption certificates. |
| Penalty for going without | Civil penalty (La. R.S. 23:1170) of up to 250 per employee for a first offense and up to 500 per employee for a second or subsequent offense, with a first-offense cap of 10000 for all related violations. Willful failure (La. R.S. 23:1172) is a criminal offense punishable by a fine of up to 250 per day of noncompliance and/or imprisonment with or without hard labor for up to 1 year; two prior R.S. 23:1170/1171 penalties within a 3-year period establish a prima facie case of willfulness. |
| Monopolistic state? | No — buy from private carriers |
| State fund | Yes — Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Corporation (LWCC), a competitive state fund |
How to Get Workers’ Comp Coverage in Louisiana
Louisiana employers obtain coverage from a private insurance carrier, from the competitive state fund (LWCC), through approved group self-insurance, or, if unable to buy in the voluntary market, through the NCCI-administered assigned-risk pool; large employers may apply for individual self-insurance approval.
Private market: YES
What Workers’ Comp Covers in Louisiana
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system: an injured employee gets benefits without having to prove the employer did anything wrong, and in exchange gives up the right to sue for most workplace injuries. A typical Louisiana policy pays for medical treatment tied to a work injury, part of the wages lost while the worker recovers, longer-term disability benefits if the injury is permanent, and death benefits to a family.
It also includes employers-liability coverage, which protects the business if an injury still leads to a lawsuit.
Employees vs. Independent Contractors in Louisiana
The most common way employers get the Louisiana workers comp requirements wrong is by assuming a worker is an “independent contractor” who does not count. State agencies look at how the work is actually controlled, not the label on a 1099. If Louisiana decides a contractor was really an employee, the business can owe back premiums and penalties as if coverage should have been in place all along.
When you are close to the employee threshold, confirm each worker’s status with your state board before you decide you are exempt.
Other Louisiana workers’-comp rules: Indemnity benefits pay 66 2/3% of average weekly wage; the maximum TTD/indemnity rate is 877 per week for injuries during the benefit year September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026 (the max is reset each September 1). Medical mileage reimbursement rose to 0.725 per mile effective January 1, 2026. Disputes are heard by Louisiana’s Office of Workers’ Compensation judges rather than civil district courts.
This is neutral reference information only and not legal advice — injured workers should confirm current figures and their rights with the Louisiana OWCA and a licensed Louisiana attorney.
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Understanding Louisiana Workers Comp Requirements
The Louisiana workers comp requirements exist so injured employees get care and lost wages without having to sue. For most employers, the Louisiana workers comp requirements come down to one number: the employee count that triggers the mandate, shown in the table above. Once you hit that count, Louisiana workers comp requirements apply whether you planned for them or not, and the penalty for going without is real.
If any part of the Louisiana workers comp requirements is unclear, your state board can confirm the threshold, the exemptions, and how to get covered.
Need to get covered? If you are an employer in Louisiana shopping for a policy, our sister site compares small-business insurance, including workers’ comp. Compare business insurance options →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is workers’ comp required in Louisiana?
Yes — Louisiana requires nearly every employer to carry workers’ compensation coverage from the very first employee (full-time, part-time, seasonal, or minor), with no minimum employee count.
What is the penalty for not having workers’ comp in Louisiana?
Civil penalty (La. R.S. 23:1170) of up to 250 per employee for a first offense and up to 500 per employee for a second or subsequent offense, with a first-offense cap of 10000 for all related violations. Willful failure (La. R.S.
23:1172) is a criminal offense punishable by a fine of up to 250 per day of noncompliance and/or imprisonment with or without hard labor for up to 1 year; two prior R.S. 23:1170/1171 penalties within a 3-year period establish a prima facie case of willfulness.
Who is exempt from Louisiana workers’ comp?
Domestic employees in private homes; certain agricultural/farm laborers (an unincorporated farm worker earning $1,000 or less per year where total farm payroll is $2,500 or less); musicians and performers under performance contracts; most real estate salespersons; uncompensated officers/directors of certain nonprofits; public officials; and workers covered by federal acts (e.g., railroad/FELA, longshore). Sole proprietors, partners, and LLC members with no other employees are not themselves required to be covered.
Official Louisiana Sources & Resources
- Louisiana Louisiana Workforce Commission — Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration (OWCA): https://www.laworks.net/WorkersComp/OWC_MainMenu.asp
- Louisiana Workers’ Comp Statute: https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=83328
- U.S. Department of Labor — Workers’ Comp: dol.gov
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org
These Louisiana workers comp requirements were last verified against official sources in June 2026. Rules and penalties change — confirm the current figure with your state workers’-comp board or a licensed agent.
More Louisiana Workers’ Comp Guides
- Louisiana Workers’ Comp Settlements
- How to File a Louisiana Workers’ Comp Claim
- Workers’ Comp Guides for All 50 States
Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and is not legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers Comp Explained is an independent educational resource, not a law firm or insurer. Workers’ comp benefits, settlement values, deadlines, and requirements vary by state and by the specific facts of your injury and change over time, and any settlement figures here are illustrative only.
Confirm your rights and any deadline with your state’s workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act.