What kinds of injuries or illnesses might be compensated by workers’ compensation?
A. Injuries or illnesses are typically covered only when they “arise out of and in the course of employment.” There needs to be a nexus between the accident that caused the injury/illness and the scope of your employment duties. Examples of compensable injuries are those caused by lifting heavy equipment, slipping on a wet or oily surface, defective machinery, or fires or explosions. Many state workers’ compensation programs preclude coverage for injuries which occur while employees are not acting within the scope of their employment – such as playing football with friends on a day off. But closer examination of the situation should be made – if an employee was injured while playing football at a company sponsored picnic, there may be coverage. Illnesses which “arise out of and in the course of employment” can be covered under the workers’ compensation system where the working conditions present unusual or extraordinary risks of contracting an illness – such as coal miners being able t
Related Questions
- Am I entitled to compensation for work injuries and illnesses that are caused by exposure to chemicals, fumes or other substances in my work environment?
- What kinds of injuries or illnesses might be compensated by workers’ compensation?
- What injuries and illnesses are not covered by workers compensation?
