In our last blog, we explained the basic requirements to qualify for workers’ compensation benefits in New Jersey—you must have suffered an injury and it must have been work-related. We also looked a couple of situations where there might be uncertainty about whether you are eligible for benefits—when you are on a break and when you are traveling. In this blog, we look at the other common instances where there may be questions about qualifying for workers’ compensation: injuries that occur at a company outing, and injuries that result from your own wrongful acts.
Injuries Suffered at a Company Function
It’s pretty common for companies to have team-building or employee appreciation events, such as golf outings, dinners and even more demanding physical activities, such as ziplining or ropes courses. What happens if you suffer a personal injury at one of these outings? In most instances, you’ll be able to file a workers’ compensation claim for your injuries, whether attendance was mandatory or not. The exception—when your actions are deemed to be unreasonable. For example, if you attend a dinner and get inebriated, you may not be able to file a work comp claim if you fall down a set of stairs. If, however, the company provided the alcohol, you may still have a claim.
Injuries that You Caused
Because workers’ compensation claims are considered to be “no-fault” claims—the law doesn’t care who is at fault—there can be instances where your own negligence caused your injury and you can still recover benefits. However, where you intentionally self-inflict injuries or where you willfully engage in horseplay or conduct in violation of known company policy, you will likely be prohibited from collecting workers’ compensation.
Contact Attorney Howard D. Popper
To learn your options when you have lost a loved one in an accident, contact our office online or call attorney Popper at 973-993-8787. We have offices in Morristown and Newton, but will come to your home or the hospital, if necessary. There is no charge for your first consultation.
We handle all personal injury claims on a contingency basis. You won’t be charged any legal fees unless attorney Popper recovers compensation for your losses.