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Nebraska workers' compensation insurance: Your guide to requirements and getting a policy
If you’re a Nebraska employer looking to protect both your business and your team, you’re in the right place. At Beyond, we provide the essential information you need to understand how workers’ compensation works and how to stay compliant.
In Nebraska, workers’ compensation insurance plays a critical dual role: it ensures injured employees receive necessary medical care and lost wages, while protecting employers from paying those expenses out-of-pocket or facing lawsuits and state-imposed penalties.
Let’s explore who’s required to carry coverage and what that protection includes.
Most Nebraska employers with one or more employees are legally required to carry workers’ compensation coverage. This includes:
Private sector companies
State and local governments
Part-time workers and minors
Employees of nonprofits and charitable organizations
Agricultural businesses must also provide coverage if they employ more than 10 unrelated individuals for 13+ weeks in a calendar year.
Some categories of employers and workers are exempt, including:
Sole proprietors
Business partners and LLC members
Corporate officers with at least 25% ownership
Nonprofit officers earning under $1,000 annually
Domestic workers in private households
Railroad employees engaged in interstate commerce
Volunteers
Agricultural employers with fewer than 10 unrelated employees
Even if exempt, businesses can still choose to carry voluntary coverage.
Medical Treatment
Coverage includes hospital and doctor visits, prescriptions, prosthetics, medical devices, and travel expenses related to treatment.
Wage Replacement (Indemnity Benefits)
Benefits begin after a 7-day waiting period, with retroactive pay starting on day 8 if the disability extends beyond six weeks. Types of wage benefits include:
Temporary Partial or Total Disability – For those unable to work or return to their prior role.
Permanent Partial or Total Disability – For long-term impairments, with compensation based on injury severity.
Lump Sum Payments – May be issued depending on the extent of the injury.
Chronic or Repetitive Injuries
Conditions that develop over time, such as carpal tunnel or chronic back pain, are also covered.
Rehabilitation & Return-to-Work Support
Vocational training, job placement, and formal education are available to help employees transition if they cannot return to their previous role.
Death Benefits
In the event of a work-related fatality, surviving dependents may be eligible for weekly benefits and funeral expenses.
Employers can secure coverage through:
Private insurance companies authorized to sell in Nebraska
State-certified insurance providers listed by the Department of Insurance
Self-insurance, if eligible (typically large employers with 100+ workers, at least five years in business, and an established safety plan). Self-insured businesses must post a surety bond.
Employees should report injuries as soon as possible and seek medical attention if needed, informing providers the injury is work-related.
Employers must:
File a First Report of Injury with the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court within 10 days
Provide Form 50: Choice of Doctor to the injured employee
Notify the employee of their right to choose a treating physician (with some limitations)
Employees have up to two years to file a formal claim.
In Nebraska, employees can select a doctor they’ve previously seen (or who treated a family member), but must notify their employer using Form 50. If no doctor is chosen, the employer may designate one. Changing physicians afterward requires employer approval or court permission.
Beyond simplifies compliance for Nebraska employers. Our workers’ compensation guidance ensures you’re not only protected, but informed. If you have questions or need assistance with setting up your policy, Beyond is here to help.
