Employees are covered by which of the following workers' compensation statutes in West Virginia?

Employees are covered by workers' compensation statutes in West Virginia because these laws are specifically designed to provide benefits and protections to individuals who are classified as employees. The purpose of workers' compensation is to ensure that employees who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses receive necessary medical treatment and financial support to assist during their recovery, without needing to prove fault.

In the context of West Virginia, the definition of "employee" typically encompasses a wide range of workers who are in an employer-employee relationship, thus qualifying them for coverage under these statutes. This provides legal protections, including medical benefits and wage loss compensation, which are fundamental to the workers' compensation system.

In contrast, independent contractors, temporary workers, and volunteer workers do not universally qualify for workers' compensation coverage under these statutes. Independent contractors generally operate as separate entities and are not considered employees for purposes of workers' compensation. Temporary workers might face specific eligibility criteria depending on their employment status, while volunteer workers may not receive the same protections as paid employees, unless certain conditions are met, such as specific provisions in the statute or agreement to provide coverage.