Workers' Compensation: Covered Or Not?

Workers' comp is an important benefit available through your employer that will pay your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages if you qualify; however, sometimes workplace injuries and the availability of workers' compensation coverage are not so obvious. For more information about situations that may fall into a gray area and whether you are covered or not, read on.

You're Covered

• If you are injured at a company sponsored event, such as the annual picnic at the lake or at an off-site Christmas party, you are likely covered.

• If travel is a job requirement for your work, you are covered from the time you leave your home till you return home.

• If you travel to a meeting or a required training, you are covered.

• If your preexisting condition was made worse due to a work-related task or event, you are covered.

• Surprisingly, if you injure yourself because you broke a safety rule, you are covered.

You're Not Covered

• If you suffer an injury or illness while on your lunch break, you are not covered. If you are getting a meal or running an errand for your supervisor during your lunch break, you are, however, covered.

• If you have an accident during your lunch break in the company cafeteria, the eligibility for benefits depends upon the nature of the accident. You will likely need to prove that your employer was negligent. For example, a slip and fall on a wet floor might mean that your employer was negligent for not placing a warning cone near the wet area.

• If you have an accident while en route to work, you are not covered unless you are traveling in a company vehicle.

• If your injuries are so minor that a first aid kit is all that is necessary to take care of the issue, you are likely not covered unless the extent of your injures cannot be known until a later date.

• If you were under the influence of non-prescription drugs or alcohol when the injury occurred, you will likely not be covered. Drug testing is routinely done after workplace injuries.

These gray area situations can sometimes be open to interpretation and further investigation may be required. If you are turned down for your initial workers' comp claim, contact a workers' compensation attorney to help you to appeal the denial. Don't give up just because you may have a case that's more difficult to prove. Get a qualified legal professional on your side to help you get the compensation that you deserve.

Contact a professional like Shoap Law Offices for more help.

 

 

 

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