Workers’ compensation coverage for employees is based on several factors. One of the most basic is whether the injury that occurs is compensable or not. This is important because any injury that doesn’t meet the requirements isn’t going to get an approval for benefits from workers’ compensation.
In order for an injury to be compensable, it must occur while you are doing something work related. This can mean you are actually working, but it also include things that happen at company events like picnics or dinners. It is possible that an injury that occurs on your lunch break might be compensable if it occurs on company property, or even not on company property if you are a travelling employee. While there are a few exclusions for injuries that are due to factors like intoxication, these are few and far between.
The company that you work for has to have workers’ compensation coverage. Almost all employers are required to have it, so if you are working for someone else it is very likely that your employer was required to cover you. Some careers, such as those in agriculture or domestic professions, are less likely to have workers’ compensation than others.
Workers’ compensation doesn’t cover only injuries that happen because of an accident. Cumulative trauma injuries and repetitive motion injuries might also be compensable if you can tie those into your job duties. This can be complicated in some cases, but this doesn’t mean it is impossible.
If you have questions about your workers’ compensation claim or need to file an appeal for a decision you don’t agree with, our attorneys can help you. Call us today, because there are strict time limits that might apply. The sooner we can get to work for you, the more we can do for you.
Source: FindLaw, “What Types of Injuries are Compensable Under Workers’ Compensation?,” accessed May 02, 2018