Because the construction industry is one of the highest-risk sectors in the economy when it comes to injuries, illnesses, accidents, and other adverse events, many states have special workers' compensation laws that apply specifically to the construction industry. For example, in many states, there are exemptions that allow certain types of businesses and companies to opt out of the workers' compensation system. However, most states also specify that these laws do not apply to businesses engaged in any form of construction or contracting work, due to the high risk of injury associated with these fields. When it comes to filing a claim for workers' compensation, construction laborers often have difficulty submitting claims because of the complex business relationships that exist between contractors and subcontractors in the industry. In some areas, state law requires that the employees of an uninsured subcontractor must be regarded as employees of an uninsured contractor when it comes to workers' compensation claims. Check with your union representative for specific details about the laws that apply in your state.