Texas is the only state where workers’ comp isn’t required… which leads a lot of business owners to hear “optional” and translate it as “free pass.” Dennis and Stephanie break down what workers’ comp actually does, why Texas is so weird about it, what “going naked” really means, and the very un-fun reality: even if you don’t carry a policy, you may still be on the hook for medical bills, lost wages, and lawsuits.

They also get into monopolistic states (where you have to buy comp through the state), why workers’ comp coverage is regulated (so it’s basically the same everywhere), how class codes can make or break your premium, and the classic “they got hurt over the weekend but limped in Monday” problem.

Questions / comments / rude remarks: 817-753-0093

Email: contact@igwpodcast.com

And yes—like, subscribe, and do it “for the love.”

Chapters

00:00 - Welcome back: “It’s been a week” (again)

00:01 - Movember, Dwight Yoakam vibes, and losing shirt buttons

00:02 - Workers’ comp 101 and why Texas is the outlier

00:03 - “Not required” doesn’t mean “no liability”

00:04 - The official Texas term: “going naked”

00:06 - Why words like “consummation” should’ve stayed out of contracts

00:07 - Monopolistic states: when the state is your workers’ comp carrier

00:08 - Workers’ comp history: from ancient injuries to modern policies

00:10 - Big point: workers’ comp coverage is regulated (same coverage, different price)

00:11 - Class codes + asking better questions = fewer ugly surprises

00:12 - Claims perspective: workers’ comp feels “guilty until proven innocent”

00:13 - Employer’s liability: where the lawsuit limits actually matter

00:16 - Occupational accident insurance: cheaper, but you’re not lawsuit-proof

00:18 - Industrial Revolution injuries and the “unholy trinity” defenses

00:23 - Quick U.S. timeline: Wisconsin first, Mississippi last

00:24 - “I don’t have employees, they’re all 1099” (here we go…)

00:26 - If your subs don’t have their own insurance, it climbs the ladder

00:28 - Ballpark premium talk + how to bake comp costs into pricing

00:33 - Peace of mind vs. the unknown cost of “something happens”

00:36 - Lawsuit extras: loss of consortium (yes, that one)

00:38 - The billboard effect: why lawsuits are everywhere now

00:41 - Nuclear vs. atomic verdicts (and lawsuit financing)

00:44 - Wrap-up: Texas comp isn’t required, but risk still shows up to work

00:47 - Final plug: call, email, like, subscribe “for the love”

Email: Contact@IGWpodcast.com

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