Traveling for work is the norm for hundreds of thousands across the United States, both domestically and internationally. Just like in the workplace, the chances of being hurt on the job still exist. When a worker is injured while traveling, they often wonder how worker’s compensation can cover their injuries or if the accident is even considered job-related. Here’s everything you need to know.
Worker’s Compensation Rules
When traveling to and from the office or work site, any injury you sustain is outside the realm of worker’s compensation. If you were planning on recovering damages in a Denver car accident, for instance, you would have to rely on legal aid and insurance.
This leads many to believe that their travels for work fall under the same umbrella, but that isn’t the case. Heading to a location for your job is a work-related activity. If you are injured at any time, you ca potentially file a claim with your HR department.
What is Job-Related?
The best way to fully understand if you’re covered is to speak with a legal professional familiar with these cases, like the attorneys at Jolly Berry Law. However, there are a few guidelines to keep in mind pertaining to work-related events. These include injuries sustained while:
- Heading to dinner for a business meeting with clients
- Traveling, regardless of the method, as long as your destination pertains to work
- Staying in a hotel or other lodging required by your business
Anything outside of your job duties, however, is not covered. That includes things like going to dinner for personal reasons, sightseeing while away, taking side trips, or any other personal part of your travels that does not relate to work.
What to Do When Injured
Whether you know if your injury is covered or not, there are steps you should take to better protect your rights after suffering an injury. First, make sure to report the incident to the establishment in which it happened. During this phase, you should also obtain any witness information and take pictures of your injuries for evidence. It also helps to write down the incident so you can remember each detail at a later date.
Second, always seek medical attention after any injury. While you might be away from home, it also helps to call your physician and inform them of your injury. Make sure to relay to them whether or not you were on the job at the time.
Next, inform your supervisor of the incident. You can also speak with HR and let them know about your injury so they can document it. You should also file a worker’s compensation claim at this time, preferably through email.
Finally, speak with an attorney as soon as possible. They can tell you more about your rights and how worker’s compensation may or may not cover this accident. Your attorney can also inform you if you have a claim against the individual or company responsible for your injury.
