>What happens, for example, if someone is unemployed, then doing work for you and either gets sick on his own or gets injured on the job? For the first case--n

>What happens, for example, if someone is unemployed, then doing work for you and either gets sick on his own or gets injured on the job? For the first case--nothing at all. For the second case--generally nothing as long as the person is really an independent contractor. In the US there are guidelines that determine whether someone is an employee or a contractor. For example is the person flexible to work whenever they want, or do they have to be in the office from 9-5. Does the person have to wear a uniform etc. Is the position short term etc... So if someone were injured on the job, they could claim that they even though the company said they were an independent contractor, they were actually an employee because of xyz. Most employers know this so they take steps to ensure independent contractors actually fit the guidelines for independent contractor. And in the case of paying a tech contractor for a few weeks, it's usually pretty clear cut.