Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Landscaping Companies in Florida

Landscaping is one of the most physically demanding and risk-filled industries in the state of Florida. Whether your business focuses on lawn care, tree trimming, irrigation system installation, or full-service landscape design and maintenance, your employees face daily exposure to injury risks—from hot weather and heavy lifting to sharp tools and fast-moving machinery.

That’s why Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Landscaping Companies in Florida isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s one of the most critical components of your risk management strategy. This blog will walk you through what workers’ comp is, why it matters to your landscaping business, what the law requires in Florida, how it helps your employees, and what you can do to reduce claims and keep premiums low.

Let’s dig into the details to help you better understand this essential coverage and how Florida Risk Partners can help you put the right protection in place.

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What Is Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

Workers’ compensation insurance provides wage replacement and medical benefits to employees who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses. In exchange, it limits the employee’s ability to sue the employer for negligence.

It covers:

• Medical treatment for work-related injuries or illnesses
• Lost wages while the employee recovers
• Rehabilitation services
• Permanent disability benefits (if applicable)
• Death benefits to dependents in fatal incidents

For a landscaping business, this means that if an employee strains their back lifting heavy sod, gets cut by a hedge trimmer, or suffers heat stroke on a hot Florida summer day, workers’ comp insurance will pay for their care and keep them financially afloat during recovery.

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Florida Workers’ Comp Requirements for Landscape Companies

Florida’s Division of Workers’ Compensation enforces very specific rules when it comes to who needs to carry coverage.

Does Your Landscaping Company Need Workers’ Comp?

If your company falls under construction industry classification codes, then you are required to carry workers’ comp with just one employee. Most landscaping companies are considered part of the construction industry for the purposes of workers’ compensation.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Construction Industry: Required if you have 1 or more employees, including yourself if you are not exempt.
• Non-Construction Industry: Required if you have 4 or more employees, full-time or part-time.

Given that landscaping often involves physical outdoor labor, many Florida landscape contractors are treated under the construction rules. That means even one employee triggers the legal requirement to carry workers’ comp insurance.

Failure to comply with this law can lead to:

• Stop-work orders (forcing your business to shut down operations)
• Hefty fines (up to two times the amount you would have paid in premium)
• Personal liability if an uninsured employee gets hurt

Simply put: if you have workers in the field—even just one—you need to carry this coverage to stay legal and protected.

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Common Injuries Faced by Landscaping Employees

Landscaping professionals encounter a wide array of hazards in their day-to-day duties. These include:

1. Cuts and Lacerations

Chainsaws, hedge trimmers, mowers, and edgers all pose cutting risks. A momentary lapse in attention can result in a serious injury.

2. Back and Muscle Strains

Lifting heavy sod, pushing heavy equipment, or repetitive motions like raking can lead to overexertion injuries.

3. Heat-Related Illnesses

Florida’s intense heat and humidity, especially during summer, can cause heat exhaustion or heat stroke if workers are not properly hydrated and rested.

4. Slips, Trips, and Falls

Uneven ground, wet surfaces, and obstacles create constant tripping hazards on job sites.

5. Insect and Animal Bites

Employees working outdoors may be bitten or stung by fire ants, wasps, snakes, or even feral animals.

6. Vehicle and Equipment Accidents

Operating mowers, driving work trucks, or using trailers can lead to vehicular accidents or run-over incidents if protocols aren’t followed.

These injuries aren’t hypothetical—they happen all the time. Without workers’ compensation insurance, any one of them could lead to a costly out-of-pocket expense or a lawsuit from an injured employee.

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Real-Life Florida Workers’ Comp Claim Example

Let’s consider a real-world example:

A landscaping crew in Sarasota was working on an irrigation project during July. One of the workers began showing signs of heat exhaustion but continued working without hydration. Eventually, he collapsed on the job site and was rushed to the hospital.

The result? A $17,000 medical bill for emergency care, monitoring, and follow-up appointments, plus two weeks of lost wages.

Because the company had workers’ compensation insurance, the insurer paid the full amount. Had they not been covered, the business would have been legally and financially responsible, potentially facing litigation and fines for not meeting state coverage requirements.

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How a Workers’ Comp Claim Works

If an injury happens, the workers’ comp process typically follows these steps:

1. Employee Reports Injury: The injured employee reports the injury to the employer ASAP (ideally within 24 hours).
2. Employer Notifies Carrier: The employer contacts their insurance carrier to report the injury.
3. Employee Receives Treatment: The employee is sent to an authorized medical provider for evaluation and care.
4. Insurance Carrier Assesses Claim: The carrier reviews the claim, processes benefits, and monitors recovery.
5. Employee Returns to Work: Once medically cleared, the employee resumes duties—possibly with restrictions or modified tasks.

Florida has a well-defined process, and employers are required to post the “Broken Arm Poster” (DWC-250) at their job site and ensure employees know how to report an injury.

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How Workers’ Comp Affects Your Premiums

Your workers’ comp premium is based on:

• Payroll size
• Industry classification codes (landscaping is considered high-risk)
• Your experience modification rate (Mod)

What Is a Mod Factor?

The Mod is a score that reflects your company’s injury history versus the industry average:

• 1.0 = average risk
• <1.0 = better than average (you get a discount)
• >1.0 = worse than average (you pay more)

Even a few small claims can increase your Mod and cost you thousands over time. Keeping a safe workplace not only protects your team but also helps keep your Mod—and your premiums—low.

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Tips to Prevent Employee Injuries and Lower Your Costs

The best way to control workers’ comp costs is to prevent claims altogether. Here’s how:

1. Implement Safety Training

Train new hires and existing employees on how to safely operate all tools and machinery. Emphasize PPE use and safe lifting practices.

2. Hold Weekly Safety Meetings

Short “tailgate” meetings at the beginning of the week can reinforce good habits and address site-specific hazards.

3. Hydration and Break Schedules

In Florida’s summer heat, institute mandatory hydration breaks every hour and provide shaded rest areas.

4. Use Return-to-Work Programs

Offer light-duty work for injured employees once they’re partially recovered. This helps control claims costs and keeps morale up.

5. Hire Carefully

Conduct pre-employment physicals, verify driving records, and ensure new hires understand the physical nature of the work.

6. Maintain Equipment

Malfunctioning mowers, dull blades, and leaky fuel lines create safety hazards. Regular maintenance can prevent many accidents.

7. Establish Incident Reporting Protocols

Encourage employees to report near-misses and minor incidents. Addressing small issues early can prevent major accidents later.

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Florida Risk Partners Can Help You Get Covered

At Florida Risk Partners, we specialize in working with middle-market contractors, including landscape businesses across the state. We understand the unique challenges Florida landscapers face, and we’re here to help you build a workers’ comp program that keeps your people protected and your premiums under control.

We don’t just sell policies—we help you:

• Understand your coverage options
• Set up safety programs to reduce claims
• Monitor your Mod and help you improve it
• Stay compliant with Florida laws

Whether you’re hiring your first employee or you already run a full crew, we can review your current workers’ comp policy or help you get one in place that meets your needs and budget.

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Protect Your Crew. Protect Your Business.

Your employees are your greatest asset. Without them, the lawns don’t get mowed, the hedges don’t get trimmed, and the customers don’t get served.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Landscaping Companies in Florida is not just a compliance checkbox—it’s a commitment to your team and your business’s future. It’s about doing the right thing when accidents happen, while also safeguarding your bottom line.