Don't Worry, You're Covered

When it comes to work-related injuries or illnesses, most people automatically think of a sudden accident that happens in manufacturing or in the construction industry. The truth is that workers' compensation insurance coverage extends much further than most people expect, and knowing about these relatively unusual situations could mean the difference between getting benefits and not. You may have to take action and be assertive when it comes to workplace injuries, so read on to learn more about some of the more uncommon workers' comp situations.

You were not actually at work when your injury or illness occurred: Just because your incident happened off site is no reason for you ignore potential coverage. Regardless of the location, you may be covered if you were on company business at the time. This covers a large range of possibilities, like:

1. Your company has a picnic in a local park every year, and attendance is strongly encouraged. In fact, the company takes this opportunity to give out annual employee awards and prizes for a job well done. If you get beaned upside the head with a softball during the company game at this picnic, you are likely eligible for workers' comp coverage.

2. Your company requires that you update your education on a regular basis, and you now must attend a series of classes at a nearby meeting hall that includes training for dealing with sexual harassment or active shooter situations. If you trip and fall down going into the class, it will probably be covered by worker's comp.

You must travel for business: From the moment you exit your home until you return to it, you are covered by workers' comp if you get injured. This includes the trip to the airport, the meetings and conferences, and even a night out during the trip. As a word of caution, if you add some vacation time onto the trip, you are on your own for any injuries.

You broke the rules: It may difficult to believe, but if your injury occurred because you broke company rules, you are still likely covered. With the major exception of being under the influence of illegal substances, your injury and the resulting medical bills will be covered. However, breaking company rules could result in your having to look for a new job, regardless of workers' comp coverage. And yes, you can still get benefits after you are fired or you resign from your job, as long as the injury happened while you were still employed.

These so-called "gray areas" can be more challenging to deal with, so if you have problems with your claim speak to a personal injury attorney right away

 


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