Are independent contractors eligible for workers' compensation benefits in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, independent contractors are generally not covered by workers' compensation benefits. This stems from the classification of independent contractors as self-employed individuals rather than employees of a business. The workers' compensation system primarily provides benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses, thus protecting them while they are engaged in their employment duties.

Because independent contractors operate as separate entities and are responsible for their own business expenses and insurances, they do not have the same rights to workers' compensation as employees. This distinction is vital in understanding the scope of protections under Hawaii's workers' compensation laws.

While there are specific scenarios where individuals might misclassify workers or where certain statutes might apply, the general rule is that independent contractors remain outside of the standard workers' compensation framework. This principle communicates the importance of correctly identifying the nature of the work relationship when determining eligibility for benefits.