Louisville, Kentucky
Roofers, painters, electricians, HVAC techs and handymen work in other people's homes every day. When a contractor injured at home on the job asks who pays, the first answer is usually workers' comp. But sometimes the homeowner, a general contractor or another company is also legally responsible, and a premises liability claim can recover what comp doesn't, like pain and suffering.
Here's how Kentucky law sorts out who pays when a worker gets hurt at a private residence.
Key takeaways
If you're an employee of a contractor, your employer's workers' comp coverage pays medical bills and part of lost wages, and comp is generally your only claim against that employer (KRS 342.690). Under KRS 342.610, a general contractor can be responsible for comp when a subcontractor has none.
But KRS 342.700 lets an injured worker also bring a negligence claim against someone other than the employer whose negligence caused the injury. That's a third-party workplace injury claim, and the homeowner can be that third party.
Kentucky uses pure comparative fault, so a worker who was partly careless can still recover a reduced amount. See how Kentucky's pure comparative fault works.
A homeowner generally isn't responsible for the normal risks of the job a contractor was hired to do, like a roofer falling from a roof with no hidden defect, or an electrician shocked by wiring they were hired to fix. The details matter, so get advice before assuming you have no claim.
Most homeowner's policies include liability coverage that can pay for injuries to people on the property, subject to the policy's terms and exclusions. If you were a guest rather than a worker, see injured at someone’s house. A homeowner who hired an uninsured contractor may face more questions. A lawyer can sort out which policies apply.
Most premises and workplace injury lawsuits in Kentucky must be filed within one year (KRS 413.140(1)(a)). Workers' comp has its own separate claim deadlines. Take photos of the hazard, get witness names and report the injury to your employer right away. See also construction injury lawyer and premises liability lawyer.
Yes, in some cases, usually when the homeowner knew about a hidden danger and didn't warn, or controlled the work and made it unsafe. Ordinary job risks usually aren't the homeowner's responsibility.
Often the liability portion of a homeowner's policy can apply, depending on the policy terms and exclusions.
Kentucky law allows a comp claim and a negligence claim against a third party, but you can't collect twice for the same loss, and comp may have a lien on the recovery (KRS 342.700).
Generally one year from the injury under KRS 413.140(1)(a). Comp claims have separate deadlines.
We'll look past workers' comp and find every party that may owe you. Free case evaluation. Get a free case evaluation or call (502) 931-6788. No fee unless we win.
This page is general information about Kentucky law as of October 2026, not legal advice.
