Question: My nanny was injured in a car accident while picking up my children from school. She cannot work for two weeks, and her medical bills are about $2,000. What should we do?

If you are facing a nanny work injury situation, your first reaction is probably concern, and we totally get it. Are they okay? What happens next? Are you responsible for the medical bills? Many families are unsure what to do when a nanny is hurt while performing job duties.

The good news is that if you have workers’ compensation insurance in place, there is a clear process to follow. Understanding how a nanny’s work injury is handled can give you peace of mind and help you support your caregiver properly.

1) Step One After a Nanny Work Injury: Determine If It Was Work-Related

If your nanny was driving your children as part of her job duties, this qualifies as a nanny work injury. When she is performing assigned responsibilities such as school pickup, activities, or errands, she is on the job.

As she was driving, the car became an extension of the workplace. That means the injury is generally covered under your workers’ compensation policy.

2) Step Two: Contact Your Workers’ Compensation Carrier

If you have an active workers’ compensation policy, notify your insurance provider right away. Prompt reporting is important in any nanny work injury case.

Your responsibilities typically include:

• Providing the appropriate claim form to your nanny
• Reporting the incident to your insurance carrier
• Documenting what happened and when

Your nanny will need to complete and submit a workers’ compensation claim. Once filed, the insurance company evaluates the claim and begins providing benefits if approved.

3) What Workers’ Compensation Covers

In most states, workers’ compensation insurance covers two main areas of a nanny work injury:

1. Medical expenses related to the injury
2. Partial wage replacement if your nanny is temporarily unable to work

Temporary disability benefits usually replace a percentage of lost wages, based on state guidelines. The insurance company pays these benefits directly, not you personally.

This structure protects both the employee and the employer.

4) How Auto Insurance Fits In

When the nanny’s work injury involves a car accident, auto insurance may also play a role. Depending on the situation:

• The at-fault driver’s auto insurance may cover vehicle damage or liability
• Your auto policy may respond depending on coverage
• Workers’ compensation handles medical expenses and lost wages

Your insurance carriers will coordinate these details. The key point is that medical costs and lost wages from a nanny’s work injury are generally handled through workers’ compensation.

5) Why Workers’ Compensation Matters

Many families do not think about this until something happens. A nanny’s work injury can become financially stressful if you do not have proper coverage.

Carrying workers’ compensation insurance:

• Fulfills legal requirements in many states
• Protects your household from personal liability
• Ensures your nanny receives timely medical care
• Covers lost wages during recovery

If you already have a policy in place, you have taken the right step.

If you already have a policy in place, you have taken an important step toward protecting both your employees and your family.

6) California Resources

If you are a California household employer and have questions about a nanny’s work injury, you can contact the California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) Information and Assistance Unit at 1-800-736-7401. They can provide guidance on employer responsibilities, employee rights, and claim timelines.

7) Need Help with Payroll and Household Employment?

Managing payroll, tax compliance, and workers’ compensation can feel complicated. That is where expert support can make a difference.

Founded in 1992 by household employers for household employers, HomePay has served over 18,000 families with its no-work, no-worry payroll and tax service. They specialize in helping families stay compliant with payroll, tax, and employment obligations, including workers’ compensation requirements.

For more information, get started with HomePay here. 

8) Hiring Temporary Coverage

If your nanny needs time to recover, you may need temporary childcare support. Because workers’ compensation handles wage replacement in a nanny work injury case, hiring a temporary nanny won’t mean you are paying double wages out of pocket in most circumstances.

This allows you to focus on maintaining stability for your children while your nanny heals.

9) Final Thoughts

A nanny work injury is stressful, but there is a clear path forward. If the injury happened while your nanny was performing her job duties, your workers’ compensation insurance is designed to step in. Report the incident promptly, ensure the claim is filed, and allow the insurance provider to manage the medical and wage benefits.

Most importantly, check in on your nanny as a person! Clear communication and support during recovery strengthen trust and reinforce the professionalism of your household employment relationship.