Nebraska Statutes

§ 48-115 — Employee and worker, defined; inclusions; exclusions; waiver; election of coverage

Nebraska § 48-115

This text of Nebraska § 48-115 (Employee and worker, defined; inclusions; exclusions; waiver; election of coverage) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Nebraska primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-115 (2026).

Text

The terms employee and worker are used interchangeably and have the same meaning throughout the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Act. Such terms include the plural and all ages and both sexes. For purposes of the act, employee or worker shall be construed to mean:

(1)Every person in the service of the state or of any governmental agency created by it, including the Nebraska National Guard and members of the military forces of the State of Nebraska, under any appointment or contract of hire, expressed or implied, oral or written;
(2)Every person in the service of an employer who is engaged in any trade, occupation, business, or profession as described in section 48-106 under any contract of hire, expressed or implied, oral or written, including aliens and also including minors. Minors for

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Legislative History

Source: Laws 1913, c. 198, § 15, p. 583; R.S.1913, § 3656; Laws 1917, c. 85, § 4, p. 201; Laws 1921, c. 122, § 1, p. 519; C.S.1922, § 3038; Laws 1927, c. 39, § 1, p. 169; C.S.1929, § 48-115; Laws 1933, c. 90, § 1, p. 362; Laws 1941, c. 93, § 1, p. 370; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 48-115; R.S.1943, § 48-115; Laws 1959, c. 222, § 1, p. 782; Laws 1961, c. 233, § 1, p. 689; Laws 1963, c. 282, § 1, p. 841; Laws 1967, c. 289, § 1, p. 788; Laws 1967, c. 291, § 1, p. 793; Laws 1969, c. 391, § 1, p. 1373; Laws 1973, LB 25, § 1; Laws 1973, LB 150, § 1; Laws 1973, LB 239, § 2; Laws 1975, LB 186, § 1; Laws 1976, LB 782, § 14; Laws 1977, LB 199, § 1; Laws 1981, LB 20, § 1; Laws 1983, LB 185, § 1; Laws 1984, LB 776, § 1; Laws 1986, LB 528, § 6; Laws 1986, LB 811, § 33; Laws 1987, LB 353, § 1; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 282; Laws 1994, LB 884, § 63; Laws 1996, LB 43, § 8; Laws 1997, LB 138, § 38; Laws 1997, LB 474, § 2; Laws 1998, LB 1010, § 1; Laws 1999, LB 216, § 1; Laws 2002, LB 417, § 2; Laws 2003, LB 332, § 1; Laws 2005, LB 238, § 1; Laws 2010, LB579, § 14; Laws 2020, LB1002, § 42. Cross References: Professional Employer Organization Registration Act, see section 48-2701. Annotations: 1. State and governmental agencies 2. Employer's regular business 3. Casual employment 4. Independent contractor 5. Employee 6. Miscellaneous 1. State and governmental agencies Member of posse called into service by sheriff was entitled to compensation. Anderson v. Bituminous Casualty Co., 155 Neb. 590, 52 N.W.2d 814 (1952). To authorize recovery as a fireman under this section, it must appear: (1) That there was a regularly organized fire department as distinguished from an unorganized group; (2) that the injured workman was a member of such organization; and (3) that he was recommended by the chief of the fire department and confirmed by the governing board of the municipality. Clark v. Village of Hemingford, 147 Neb. 1044, 26 N.W.2d 15 (1947). Terms employee and workman include every person in the service of the state or of any governmental agency created by it, under any appointment or contract of hire. Steward v. Deuel County, 137 Neb. 516, 289 N.W. 877 (1940). While state intended to waive its sovereignty and to give consent to be sued under Workmen's Compensation Act, failure to provide manner of service of process, prior to 1940 amendment, rendered state immune. Anstine v. State, 137 Neb. 148, 288 N.W. 525 (1939). Employee of city on W.P.A. project is an employee of city under compensation act. Hendershot v. City of Lincoln, 136 Neb. 606, 286 N.W. 909 (1939). Fireman of city of Omaha was entitled to benefits of workmen's compensation law. Shandy v. City of Omaha, 127 Neb. 406, 255 N.W. 477 (1934). Employee of county in connection with maintenance and protection of bridges had compensable status as employee. Davis v. Lincoln County, 117 Neb. 148, 219 N.W. 899 (1928). Fireman employed by city has compensable status. City of Fremont v. Lea, 115 Neb. 565, 213 N.W. 820 (1927). Employee of National Guard is entitled to compensation. Nebraska Nat. Guard v. Morgan, 112 Neb. 432, 199 N.W. 557 (1924). Under former law, excluding from act those whose employment was not for the purpose of gain or profit, employees of governmental agencies were not entitled to compensation, such as a janitor employed by city school district. Ray v. School Dist. of Lincoln, 105 Neb. 456, 181 N.W. 140 (1920). Police are protected by act. Rooney v. City of Omaha, 105 Neb. 447, 181 N.W. 143 (1920). 2. Employer's regular business A carpenter employed by farmer to build machine shop on farm is not in the course of employer's occupation within meaning of Workmen's Compensation Act. Guse v. Wessels, 132 Neb. 41, 270 N.W. 665 (1937). Hod-carrier injured in construction of apartment was engaged in employer's regular business. Bauer v. Anderson, 114 Neb. 326, 207 N.W. 508 (1926). Painting building of wholesale drug corporation was work within usual course of trade. Sherlock v. Sherlock, 112 Neb. 797, 201 N.W. 645 (1924). Preparing for encampment of National Guard was regular business. Nebraska Nat. Guard v. Morgan, 112 Neb. 432, 199 N.W. 557 (1924). Caring for buildings owned by person engaged in other business is not regular business, and workman injured in repairing same was not entitled to compensation. Kaplan v. Gaskill, 108 Neb. 455, 187 N.W. 943 (1922). 3. Casual employment Employee hired for a day at a time on any sale day by livestock sales barn was not a casual employee. Gruber v. Stickelman, 149 Neb. 627, 31 N.W.2d 753 (1948). Where employment is casual and not within the trade, business, profession, or occupation of the employer, recovery cannot be had under Workmen's Compensation Act. McConnell v. Johnston, 139 Neb. 619, 298 N.W. 346 (1941). The term casual is construed to mean occasional, coming at certain times without regularity, in distinction from stated or regular. Hiestand v. Ristau, 135 Neb. 881, 284 N.W. 756 (1939). Workman cleaning snow from street intersections and suffering injury, was not casual employee and was entitled to compensation hereunder. Sentor v. City of Lincoln, 124 Neb. 403, 246 N.W. 924 (1933). Employment was not casual. Sherlock v. Sherlock, 112 Neb. 797, 201 N.W. 645 (1924); Nebraska Nat. Guard v. Morgan, 112 Neb. 432, 199 N.W. 557 (1924); Nosky v. Farmers Union Co-op. Assn., 109 Neb. 489, 191 N.W. 846 (1922); Kaplan v. Gaskill, 108 Neb. 455, 187 N.W. 943 (1922); Nedela v. Mares Auto Co., 106 Neb. 883, 184 N.W. 885 (1921). Where a person enters the employment of another to render a particular service that is not continuous or regular but only occasional or incidental to the business, the employment is casual. Petrow & Giannou v. Shewan, 108 Neb. 466, 187 N.W. 940 (1922). Unloading coal cars at irregular intervals is casual employment. Bridger v. Lincoln Feed & Fuel Co., 105 Neb. 222, 179 N.W. 1020 (1920). 4. Independent contractor Person who contracts to supply all labor, construct a barn according to a plan furnished, furnishes own tools, and receives a definite amount for the work done, is an independent contractor. Lowe v. Chicago Lumber Co., 135 Neb. 735, 283 N.W. 841 (1939). Person who contracted to unload coal at specified price per ton, with right to employ his own assistants and determine how work should be done, was an independent contractor. Prescher v. Baker Ice Machine Co., 132 Neb. 648, 273 N.W. 48 (1937). Independent contractor is defined. Hines v. Martel Telephone Co., 127 Neb. 398, 255 N.W. 233 (1934). Solicitor for advertising contracts on percentage basis, paying own traveling expenses and working without control or direction from employer, was not employee within meaning of this act. Johnston v. Smith, 123 Neb. 716, 243 N.W. 894 (1932). Evidence established that deceased, owner and manager of insurance agency, was independent contractor. Priest v. Business Men's Protective Assn., 117 Neb. 198, 220 N.W. 255 (1928). Contractor for construction of highway is independent contractor. Potter v. Scotts Bluff County, 112 Neb. 318, 199 N.W. 507 (1924). Plumber is an independent contractor, and not an employee within Workmen's Compensation Act. Petrow & Giannou v. Shewan, 108 Neb. 466, 187 N.W. 940 (1922). One employed by a contractor as superintendent of construction is not an independent contractor. Otis Elevator Co. v. Miller & Paine, 240 F. 376 (8th Cir. 1917). 5. Employee Officers of a corporation are within the definition of "employee" for purposes of the Nebraska workers' compensation law. Bituminous Casualty Corp. v. Deyle, 225 Neb. 82, 402 N.W.2d 859 (1987). While one entering into a contract for hire in this state for work to be performed elsewhere, standing alone, may be a statutory employee under the provisions of subsection (2)(c) of this section, unless the employer, who is a nonresident, is performing work in this state, it is not a statutory employer as defined by sections 48-114 and 48-106(1). Absent a statutory employer, the provisions of section 48-101 have no application. Jensen v. Floair, 212 Neb. 740, 326 N.W.2d 19 (1982). Under the facts, the claimant was too involved with the ownership and management of the business to be considered an employee. Williams v. Williams Janitorial Service, 207 Neb. 344, 299 N.W.2d 160 (1980). Under the facts of this case, the Workmen's Compensation Court was clearly wrong in finding that the two defendants were joint employers of the plaintiff but was correct in finding an employer-employee relationship between one of the defendants and the plaintiff. White v. Western Commodities, Inc., 207 Neb. 75, 295 N.W.2d 704 (1980). Employee, as distinguished from a servant generally, must serve under a contract of hire. Shamburg v. Shamburg, 153 Neb. 495, 45 N.W.2d 446 (1950). Truck driver, owning and operating his own truck and paid according to amount of gravel hauled, but subject to order and directions of owner of gravel pit, was employee entitled to compensation. Westcoatt v. Lilley, 134 Neb. 376, 278 N.W. 854 (1938). Volunteer firemen in village are not employees of village within workmen's compensation law until they have been recommended for membership by chief of the fire department and been confirmed by chairman and board of trustees. Eagle Indemnity Co. v. Village of Creston, 129 Neb. 850, 263 N.W. 220 (1935). One engaged by village to care for swimming pool and park whose compensation was twenty dollars a week plus receipts from pool, was an employee. Schou v. Village of Hildreth, 127 Neb. 784, 257 N.W. 70 (1934). Village marshal was not an employee within meaning of Workmen's Compensation Act. Suverkrubbe v. Village of Fort Calhoun, 127 Neb. 472, 256 N.W. 47 (1934). Salesman selling on a commission is an employee and not independent contractor. Aeschleman v. Haschenburger Co., 127 Neb. 207, 254 N.W. 899 (1934). Truck owner, engaged by contractor furnishing gravel for county highway, was not independent contractor but an employee, and county letting contract without requiring contractor to furnish insurance policy protecting contractor's employees, was jointly liable with contractor to its employees who received compensable injury. Standish v. Larsen-Merryweather Co., 124 Neb. 197, 245 N.W. 606 (1932). Where plaintiff did repair work on call from time to time for hardware store, under its orders and direction, although he furnished his own tools and equipment, he was an employee within meaning of this section. Cole v. Minnick, 123 Neb. 871, 244 N.W. 785 (1932). Whether party is employee or independent contractor must be determined from facts of particular case. Truck driver hauling gravel for county highway was an employee hereunder. Showers v. Lund, 123 Neb. 56, 242 N.W. 258 (1932). Caretaker of live poultry being shipped to market in another state is employee, not independent contractor. Claus v. DeVere, 120 Neb. 812, 235 N.W. 450 (1931). Every person in the employ of the state or a governmental agency thereof is an employee within the meaning of the act. Eidenmiller v. State, 120 Neb. 430, 233 N.W. 447 (1930). Where workman engaged in dragging roads for county was injured by horse while caring for it during noon hour, accident arose out of and in course of employment and was compensable hereunder. Speas v. Boone County, 119 Neb. 58, 227 N.W. 87 (1929). Pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, illegal aliens are included in the definition of employees or workers. Visoso v. Cargill Meat Solutions, 18 Neb. App. 202, 778 N.W.2d 504 (2009). Pursuant to subdivision (2) of this section, the terms "employee" and "worker" do not include any person whose employment is not in the usual course of the trade, business, profession, or occupation of his or her employer. Morin v. Industrial Manpower, 13 Neb. App. 1, 687 N.W.2d 704 (2004). Pursuant to subdivision (2) of this section, under the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Act, an "employee" or "worker" is defined as every person in the service of an employer who is engaged in any trade, occupation, business, or profession as described in section 48-106 under any contract of hire, expressed or implied, oral or written. Morin v. Industrial Manpower, 13 Neb. App. 1, 687 N.W.2d 704 (2004). 6. Miscellaneous An employee's illegal residence or work status does not bar an award of indemnity for permanent total loss of earning capacity. Moyera v. Quality Pork Internat., 284 Neb. 963, 825 N.W.2d 409 (2013). Where a claimant is under a conditional offer of employment at the time of an alleged injury, the Workers' Compensation Court does not have jurisdiction, pursuant to this section, to make a determination of compensability. Gebhard v. Dixie Carbonic, 261 Neb. 715, 625 N.W.2d 207 (2001). A finding that one party is an "employer" under section 48-114 and a finding that the other relevant party is an "employee" under this section are necessary to engage section 48-109, which binds the parties to the compensation schedule of the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Act. Kaiser v. Millard Lumber, Inc., 255 Neb. 943, 587 N.W.2d 875 (1999). Subsection (2) of this section recognizes that a contract for hire may be expressed or implied, including a contract with minors. Larson v. Hometown Communications, Inc., 248 Neb. 942, 540 N.W.2d 339 (1995). Under subsection (2) of this section, the right to recover workers' compensation benefits is in the employee, even if the employee is a minor. Lawson v. Smith, 241 Neb. 639, 489 N.W.2d 566 (1992). Under the facts of this case, the claimant was a loaned employee but there was no consensual relationship sufficient to create a new employer-employee relationship. Therefore, the lending employer remained liable for his workmen's compensation. B & C Excavating Co. v. Hiner, 207 Neb. 248, 298 N.W.2d 155 (1980). Minor driving truck loaded with crude oil was legally permitted to work. Krajeski v. Beem, 157 Neb. 586, 60 N.W.2d 651 (1953). A working partner is not entitled to compensation as an employee. Rasmussen v. Trico Feed Mills, 148 Neb. 855, 29 N.W.2d 641 (1947). Officer of township engaging in removal of obstructions from highway although not part of his official duties, was not employee hereunder. Vandenburg v. Center Township, 123 Neb. 544, 243 N.W. 636 (1932), affirmed on rehearing, 124 Neb. 790, 248 N.W. 310 (1933). Salesman, injured in Iowa, where he was hired, his work being directed from Omaha office, was covered by Nebraska Workmen's Compensation Act. Skelly Oil Co. v. Gaugenbaugh, 119 Neb. 698, 230 N.W. 688 (1930). Minor employee, between fourteen and sixteen, may maintain action at common law for injuries while employed in laundry, against employer failing to procure employment certificate, and such minor need not have been classified in order to sue. Benner v. Evans Laundry Co., 117 Neb. 701, 222 N.W. 630 (1929). Nebraska Workmen's Compensation Act does not apply to workman engaged in Nebraska by Kansas employer to work in Kansas, where injured. Watts v. Long, 116 Neb. 656, 218 N.W. 410 (1928). Corporation subject to Workmen's Compensation Act is liable to workman employed by independent contractor, where insurance was not required. Sherlock v. Sherlock, 112 Neb. 797, 201 N.W. 645 (1924). Provision of this section restricting parent's right of recovery for injuries to minor was unconstitutional, as not germane. Allen v. Trester, 112 Neb. 515, 199 N.W. 841 (1924). The record contained sufficient evidence to support the trial judge's conclusion that the worker was self-employed and that the worker did not comply with subsection (10) of this section. Nerison v. National Fire Ins. Co. of Hartford, 17 Neb. App. 161, 757 N.W.2d 21 (2008).

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Bluebook (online)
Nebraska § 48-115, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/statute/ne/48-115.