All employed workers in this country are entitled to Workers' Compensation (WC) insurance coverage, including performing artists. Governed by individual state agencies, WC is designed to cover medical bills and salary losses due to work-related injuries. The employer pays the premiums to a private or state insurance carrier. When a performer is injured on the job, the medical bills of the injured performer are covered through WC as well as lost salary due to the injury. These rules apply whether the performer is under contract or not. As long as the performer is paid a salary from which state, federal income, and social security tax is deducted, the performer is entitled to WC compensation benefits. Unlike employer group health insurance, the premiums for WC cannot be deducted from the employee's paycheck. In most states, if a company has more than two or three people employed, it is mandated by law that the employer provide WC insurance. more...