Q: Is it against the law for a company to not have workers comp insurance until one of their employees gets hurt?

A: contact a workers comp lawyer asap.

the co is supposed to have WC ins

A: If your employer doesn't carry workers compensation insurance, then you can sue your employer in state court for personal injury damages. Failing to have workers' compensation coverage is a criminal offense. Section 3700.5 of the California Labor Code makes it a misdemeanor punishable by either a fine of not less than $10,000 or imprisonment in the county jail for up to one year, or both. Additionally, the state issues penalties of up to $100,000 against illegally uninsured employers.

If an employee gets hurt or sick because of work and you are not insured, the employer is responsible for paying all bills related to the injury or illness. Contact the information and assistance officer at your local Division of Workers’ Compensation office for further information. You should be aware that workers’ compensation benefits are only the exclusive remedy for injuries suffered on the job when you are properly insured. If the employer is illegally uninsured and an employee gets sick or hurt because of work, that employee can file a civil action against the employer in addition to filing a workers’ compensation claim.

A: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/DWC_address/SanDiego.html

A: California employers are required by law to have workers' compensation insurance, even if they have only one employee (citing https://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/employer.htm if you would like to read further).