Accidents happen, even outside of work. Whether you are involved in a car accident while running errands or slip and fall while walking your dog, an injury can occur anywhere and at any time. The question that often arises is whether or not you qualify for workers’ compensation if the injury took place outside of work.
What Should I Know About Workers’ Compensation Eligibility in California?
In California, specific guidelines determine if an injury that occurred outside of work is eligible for workers’ compensation. The general rule is that an injury must have occurred during your employment to qualify for workers’ compensation. This means that the injury must be related to your job duties or have happened as a result of performing them.
What Qualifies as a Work-Related Injury?
For example, if you are out driving to deliver a package for work, and you were involved in a car accident, your injuries may be covered under workers’ compensation. However, if you were on your lunch break and you were injured in a grocery store, your injuries would not be covered.
It is important to note that some job duties require you to be out of the office or workplace. For example, if you work in sales or real estate, you may need to travel to different locations to meet with clients. In these cases, if you are injured while performing these job duties, your injuries may be covered by workers’ compensation.
In the Event of a Work-Related Injury
If your injury occurred outside of work but while performing work-related activities, it is important to document the circumstances. You should report the damage to your employer immediately and seek medical attention. Your employer should provide you with a workers’ compensation claim form, which you should complete and submit as soon as possible.
Consider the Help of an Attorney
Navigating the world of workers’ compensation can be complicated, especially if you are unsure if your injury qualifies for coverage. Injuries outside of work may still be eligible for compensation, but only if they happened during your employment or while performing work-related activities. If you have been injured at work in California, it is important to speak with a skilled workers’ compensation attorney who can help you navigate the complex process of filing a claim.
Let Us Help
Here, at Barkhordarian Law Firm, our Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorneys put you and your best interests first. It’s our goal to pursue the benefits you deserve and seek the most favorable outcome possible on your behalf. We fight for employees because we know how challenging this situation can be for you. We’ll be there for you every step of the way.
Call our firm today at(888) 514-5112to review the details of your case.