09 Feb What Injuries Are Covered Under Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

Employees who have sustained a work-related injury recover lost wages and other accommodations through their workers’ compensation/workmen’s comp insurance that employers are required to carry.

The types of injuries compensable under workers’ compare those, which can be connected in some way to an employment requirement or condition. Some examples that fall under workers’ compensation might include burns from a restaurant accident, carpal tunnel syndrome caused by too many consecutive hours at the computer, or a broken leg after falling from a telephone pole.

A compensable work-related injury is one that happened while you were doing something on behalf of your employer or in the course of employment. Most injuries that can be considered as work-related are those that occur at the workplace, but also may occur in company-owned trucks and other locations as long as the employee was doing something related to their job. This would include company parties and other social events sponsored by an employer but does not have to occur on the company-owned property.

In some states, but not all, injuries compensable under workers’ compensation insurance can sometimes include those resulting from “horseplay” or other instances where employees may have been disregarding workplace safety rules. Some courts within some states are divided on this issue.

Additionally, an injury could be considered work-related if alcohol was involved had it been provided at a work-sponsored event; mental injuries (such as anxiety or depression) may be covered if they were sustained on the job or caused by the job, and a preexisting condition worsened during employment may be covered.

Depending on the state in which you live, some workers may not be covered by workman’s comp insurance. Those might include, but not be limited to:

• Domestic workers (housekeepers, nannies, babysitters)
• Agricultural workers
• Seasonal workers
• Undocumented workers

As with any New Jersey workers’ compensation claim, it’s best to check with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. In the best-case scenario, your claim could be processed without issue, but of course, there are gray areas in this area of the law.

Workers’ Compensation Attorney Jeffrey M. Bloom

If you are experiencing an injury at work, and are looking to file a claim, give Workers’ Compensation Attorney Jeffrey M. Bloom a call – (855) 208-3650. With our experience, we can help guide you toward a successful claim.