Injury While Working on Own Property

[Marcia Maynard]

So my husband replaced a hot water heater at one of our rental properties. A bit later he notices a quarter size red spot on his hand - some inflammation and warmth. He plays piano professionally, so this could be a big deal if it is infected. Thinks maybe he was bit by a spider, so gets a same day appointment with his primary care doctor.

While registering, they say "What are you here for? He says, "I was doing a job changing a hot water heater and think I was bit by a spider." The registration person says, "Oh! If you were injured on the job, we can't see you!" He says, "No, it wasn't at my work - I'm a piano player; it was in my home." They say, "Okay then, you can be seen." He danced around that one.

Got us thinking.... We have a typical comprehensive health care insurance plan, through my employer that covers both of us. We maintain an umbrella policy of one million. We do not have employees. We do not have workman's compensation insurance for us when working on our own rental property. Do we need it?

We own our own rental property business and it is in an LLC with my husband and I as the partners. We also have another rental property business LLC with my husband and I, my father-in-law, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law as partners. Our rental property business is not primary employment for any of us. What do you think about injuries that occur when working on our own rental property? What's the best way to handle this?

[BTW it turned out not to be a spider bite and was just a contusion. :-) He made the most of the appointment though and addressed other health care concerns with his provider that had nothing to do with the hot water heater "job".]