What Injuries Aren't Covered by Workers' Comp?

Learn whether your workplace accident or injury entitles you to workers' comp benefits.

By , Attorney · Lewis & Clark Law School

State law governs workers' compensation systems, and thus what injuries are covered by workers' compensation differs from state to state. But generally, an injury that arises "out of the course of employment" will be covered under your state's workers' compensation system. This means that injuries that happened while you were performing your job duties, or diseases or illnesses arising from conditions at your job, will likely qualify for workers' compensation benefits.

First Aid Treatment Is Usually Not Enough

If you're injured at work, and the contents of a first-aid kit completely remedy your injury, the injury is not severe enough to warrant a workers' compensation claim. Cuts, scrapes, small wounds, or even a single headache are insufficient. If, on the other hand, you're exposed to a chemical that causes routine headaches, this is an occupational disease that amounts to a workers' compensation claim.

Injuries Outside the Office May Be Covered

Injuries suffered outside of your usual office or building where you work may still give rise to a workers' compensation claim. If you were acting in the "course and scope" of your employment, meaning you were carrying out business you are required to do, you should be covered under your state's workers' compensation laws if you're injured.

For example, if you're driving to visit a customer and are involved in a motor vehicle accident, with injuries requiring more than simple first aid, you have a workers' compensation claim. Generally speaking, if you're getting paid for doing what you are doing, and are injured while doing it, you likely have a workers' compensation claim.

Injuries Outside the Scope of Employment

Commuting is not considered in the course of your employment. Therefore, injuries suffered while commuting, with rare exceptions, do not give rise to a workers' compensation claim.

Similarly, when you are out for lunch, you are outside the scope of the workers' compensation system. Horseplay and fighting also do not fall within the scope of your employment, or injuries caused by alcohol or drug use, so injuries sustained in these circumstances generally don't qualify for workers' comp.

Cumulative Events and Injuries

There are many conditions and diseases that can give rise to a worker's compensation claim besides one-time accidents and injuries. Conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome or respiratory conditions from repeated chemical exposure are frequent workers' compensation claims. These conditions arise over time due to repeated events at work.

In many states, these types of conditions and diseases are called "occupational diseases," meaning they are a condition that arose from the conditions of employment over a period of time. In other states, they might be referred to as cumulative trauma injuries or repetitive stress injuries or simply slowly developing injuries.

If you don't know whether your condition is work-related, talk to your doctor about your concerns. Your doctor will be able to assist you in evaluating potential causes of your condition, and support your workers' comp claim if he or she determines your work may be the cause of your condition.

Mental Health Conditions and Workers' Comp

Just like physical injuries and illnesses, mental health conditions can qualify you for workers' compensation benefits. Most states cover both psychiatric injuries from singular events, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and conditions arising over time, such as depression and severe anxiety.

Many states have regulations regarding stress as a compensable workers' compensation claim. Most people experience stress in the workplace to some extent, so you may not have a workers' compensation claim due solely to work-related stress. If you believe you have a stress-related workplace injury or condition, talk to your doctor and possibly a workers' comp lawyer about filing a claim.

Contact a Workers' Comp Lawyer

If you're filing a workers' comp claim that's low value or straightforward, you might be able to file it without the help of a lawyer. In any other circumstances, you should contact an experienced workers' comp attorney to assist you. A workers' comp lawyer can help you develop medical evidence to support your claim, represent you if your claim is denied, and much more.

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