Leroy Reed, Sr. v. Lil Bro's Trucking, Inc. and Uninsured Employer's Fund

**Reed v. Lil Bro's Trucking: Small Employer Workers' Compensation Case** Leroy Reed, Sr. worked for Lil Bro's Trucking and sought workers' compensation benefits, likely after suffering a work-related injury. The central issue was whether his employer was required to provide workers' compensation coverage under state law. The Court of Appeals ruled against Reed, upholding the Workers' Compensation Commission's decision. While the court confirmed that Reed was indeed an employee (not an independent contractor), they found that Lil Bro's Trucking was not required to carry workers' compensation insurance because it employed fewer than three people on a regular basis. Under the state's workers' compensation law, only employers with three or more regular employees must provide this coverage. **Why This Matters for Workers:** This case highlights an important gap in worker protections. Employees at very small companies (fewer than three regular workers) may not be covered by workers' compensation insurance, even for legitimate work injuries. Workers at small businesses should understand their employer's coverage requirements and consider whether they need additional insurance protection, as they may have limited options for recovering costs from work-related injuries.