On the Job Injury

For the purposes of workers’ compensation laws, a common question that you might ask is as follows: “What does “on the job” constitute?”  Whether you are dealing with a claim under a federal workers’ compensation statute that covers only a limited group of employees, or a particular state’s workers’ compensation law, you will need to first determine whether your injury or illness qualifies as an “on the job” injury or illness that qualifies you for workers’ compensation benefits.

On the Job Injury & Workers Comp

For instance, for the purposes of the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act, a traumatic injury that is covered under this Act is an injury that occurred during one particular work shift.  Likewise, for the purposes of the Act, an occupational disease is a medical condition that developed over a number of work shifts, due to work activities and/or conditions.

Under most workers’ compensation programs, however, the injury does not have to actually occur in the employee’s typical workplace.  For example, if an employee is traveling on business, undergoing training, completing a work-related errand, and even attending a work-related social engagement, any injury sustained during these activities is typically covered for the purposes of workers’ compensation claims.  Likewise, “on the job” activities also include breaks and lunch hours, and company-related events such as family picnics.

Injuries While Traveling for Work

However, travel to and from work is not usually considered to be “on the job”, and thus workers’ compensation programs usually do not cover injuries sustained during those commuting periods.  Nonetheless, workers’ compensation benefits may be available even in these circumstances, if, for instance, the employee is furnished with a company car for traveling to and from work, if travel is required as part of the employee’s job, or if the employer is otherwise paying for the employee’s commuting time and expenses.

Legal Help

If you have questions as to whether you are eligible to file a claim for work-related injuries under federal or state workers’ compensation laws, you should not hesitate to contact an attorney to help evaluate your potential claim.