Alabama’s workers’ compensation program is “no-fault.” That means that in most cases, people who are injured working are still eligible to apply for and receive benefits even if their negligence contributed to their injury. The program is inclusive and covers many scenarios, injuries, and workers, but it’s only cut-and-dried when injuries occur on job sites.

However, many people spend some or even most of their working days not on their employers’ premises. They may travel to other offices or job sites, they may attend team outings, or they may even be assigned to work from home. However, work injuries can happen anywhere, so what happens to people who are injured in these locations?

Injuries Not on Work Premises Must be Work-Related to Be Covered

Workers’ compensation differs from disability insurance coverage in one significant way: it only covers work-related injuries. If you get injured while moving a heavy cooler at your neighborhood barbecue, workers’ compensation won’t cover it, but disability insurance might if you have a policy and your injury prevents you from working.

But if you get injured while moving a heavy cooler at a company outing, there’s a good chance workers’ compensation WILL cover your injury, as you were doing something work-related (even if it was supposed to be lighthearted fun).

Other examples of injuries outside of work premises that may be covered include auto accidents while driving a company vehicle or driving your vehicle for work reasons, a muscle injury while moving heavy cargo as you make a delivery, and slipping and falling while attending a meeting at another office.

Are Work-from-Home Injuries Covered?

More and more workers can do their jobs from the comfort of their homes. And while people’s homes may seem safer and less likely to result in injuries than offices and other workplaces, injuries can occur anytime and anywhere. When people get hurt at home while working, they may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. However, if you are unsure if you are covered, check with one of our Alabama workers’ compensation attorneys.

Common work from home injuries include:

• Repetitive stress injuries—Many work-from-home jobs involve the use of a keyboard and mouse or a laptop computer. When workers use non-ergonomic equipment, desks, and chairs for weeks, months, or years, they can damage tendons, nerves, and muscles in their hands, fingers, wrists, and back, which can make it difficult or impossible to work.
• Slips and falls—Some work from home employees may need to move away from their desks to their printers or scanners, or they may need to enter separate, quieter areas of their homes to participate in teleconferences and meetings. If they slip and fall while performing work-related duties, they may be eligible for workers’ compensation.

Even injuries that occur during rest and meal breaks can be compensated via workers’ compensation. However, injured work from home employees often face heavy burdens for proving not only that their injuries occurred the way they say they did, but that they occurred during or as a result of work-related activities and obligations.

What Should You Do if You Get Injured Away from the Worksite?

When people get injured on the job, their priority should be getting medical attention. Their second priority should be reporting their injuries to their supervisor or manager.

When injuries occur away from work premises, it can be more difficult to report injuries. If you get hurt while working but you’re not at work, do your best to document your injury as thoroughly and quickly as possible. Take pictures of your injury and the objects or area that caused it. Then, alert your employer of what happened. This is typically required if you plan to file a workers’ compensation claim.

We Can Help with Your Away-from-Work Workers’ Comp Claim

Workers’ compensation claims are notoriously difficult to prove and win. That’s because the Alabama Workers’ Compensation Division works hard to reduce fraudulent claims. To do that, it tends to view all claims with skepticism and requires extensive proof. Unfortunately, that also means that many valid claims fall through the cracks.

At The Vance Law Firm, our Montgomery workers’ compensation lawyers know what the Workers’ Compensation Division looks for when reviewing claims, including claims from people who got hurt away from the job site or office. Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll work hard to help you get the benefits you’re owed.