[TheCoelacanth]

Your numbers seem unrealistically low for the types of jobs that low income contract workers usually have. For a job like software development where very few types of injuries are likely to occur on the job and where very few types of injuries would prevent you from performing the job the rates are low. For a higher risk job, like driving the rates will be higher. For instance, in Florida a driver's worker's comp will cost almost ten times the number you stated[1].

[1] https://www.floridawc.com/workerscompensation/policy/rates/

[Consultant32452]

For the majority of those jobs you're going to be making more money, too. Take, for example, construction work. Sure, your disability, workman's comp, etc. is going to be higher than if you're working a desk job. But at the same time the going rate for a random illegal immigrant you pick up at Home Depot around here is $20/hr.