If you step out of work to grab a quick bite and you trip and fall, you might wonder if you’re eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. The quick answer: no. Unfortunately, to claim any workers’ compensation benefits, your injury or illness has to be a direct result of job duties or your employment relationship. Still, work-related injuries don’t always occur at work and just because you are on lunch break when you injure yourself does not make you ineligible to claim benefits. Read more below:
Injuries That Occur During a Working Lunch
If you are at work, performing work duties when your accident occurs, you should be covered under workers compensation even if you were eating a sandwich when you were injured. Since you were at work, performing work duties, and experienced a work-related injury, a working lunch should be treated as a regular workers comp case.
Accidents at Work-Sponsored Events
Say your company hosts or caters a lunch meeting, or any other kind of event on company property, or even has an off-site event where employees are expected to attend. If an accident occurs, workers compensation can still apply. Injuries that happen during any company-sponsored event, even off-site, can still fall under workers compensation because they are part of your employment relationship, especially if employee attendance is mandatory.
If You Hurt Yourself at the Company Cafeteria
If your company has an on-site cafeteria, you might think this is an employee perk. However, keeping employees nearby, even during meals, benefits the employer, too. Not to mention, if the company owns and runs the cafeteria, they are still responsible for any injuries that occur on the premises. If you slip and fall while dining at the company cafeteria, seek legal counsel to make sure you’re covered.
Injured Yourself While at Work? Contact Laporte, Mulligan & Werner-Watkins
If your job is a literal pain, and you are in need of legal guidance, contact the legal professionals at Laporte, Mulligan & Werner-Watkins. Our team will work diligently to defend your rights and guide you through the legal process. Contact our offices today or schedule a free consultation online.