When you are injured on the job it is likely you will be able to file a Connecticut workers’ compensation claim, but are there injuries that would disallow you from filing a claim? In the broadest of terms, if an injury occurs in the course of doing work-related activities it would be covered by a workers’ compensation claim.
While there are certainly gray areas which need to be decided during the claim process the general rule of thumb is that if an injury occurred on the job site, even if you were on a break, it would be covered by your employer’s insurance.
There are however some circumstances where you may be at work and the injury would not be covered. Consider the following examples:
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A company picnic: If you were playing volleyball at a company picnic and broke your ankle you may not be eligible for benefits.
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Your own intoxication. If you were injured while under the influence of a substance such as alcohol or drugs, you may not be eligible.
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Goofing off and not following the rules. If you are not adhering to safety guidelines that an employer has set forth while in the workplace, you may not be eligible.
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Your commute. Generally speaking your commute is not considered an injury that is occurring at work and would not be eligible for a workers’ compensation claim.
Every situation is different and comes with it’s own unique set of circumstances. It is not guaranteed that if one of the above activities happens that you would not receive benefits, but these are likely injuries that would be questioned. You may need a board certified Connecticut workers’ compensation attorney to review your case and help walk you through the process.
