The Hidden Risks Independent Contractors Never See Coming – And How to Protect Yourself Today
Originally published in 2018. Updated in 2025 as part of the Personal Branding Blog relaunch under Brown Brothers Media.
In traditional employment, workers’ compensation represents an essential part of the employee-employer relationship that protects injured workers and businesses alike. Employees have job security and time to recover from their injuries, but if you’re an independent contractor, what do you do when you have a work injury?
As a contractor, you’re not technically an employee with the same protections. Your operation is separate from the company’s, and you fill a role as outlined by your contract for a set span of time. There are many kinds of independent contractors, from plumbers to specialized freelancers.
