Work Related Injury Lawyer New Jersey
Work injuries can have a significant impact on your day to day life. Not only might you be in physical pain, and experiencing emotional distress, but you also may be unable to work. To make matters more complicated, you may be unsure about how to go about the workers’ compensation process. What is important to understand is that you have the right to speak with a work related injury lawyer New Jersey has to offer, such as one from Rispoli & Borneo, P.C.
What if I Was Injured at Home While Doing Work for my Employer?
When you think of workers’ compensation claims, you probably think of injuries that happen on your employer’s property. However, the location where the injury occurred is not a defining factor in determining whether or not benefits are available. When it comes to workers’ compensation cases, the critical question is whether the damage “arises out of employment and occurring during the course of employment,” abbreviated as AOE/COE. This definition means that if you are injured while doing something that benefits your employer, you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.
While this seems like a straightforward definition, complications can still arise. Here are a few situations that may raise workers’ compensation questions. If you have further questions about AOE/COE, call a work related injury lawyer in New Jersey.
What Happens if I’m Injured on a Lunch Break?
If you drive to your favorite sandwich shop for lunch and you get into an accident, your injuries probably won’t qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. However, if you are out picking up lunch for your boss, you may be eligible for benefits.
What If I Am Injured at the Company Picnic?
Companies often treat team members to special events like picnics or sporting events. You may be surprised to know that injuries at these functions are generally considered work-related and therefore may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. A few states, however, won’t make the employer pay if attendance at the gathering was voluntary and not mandatory. A work related injury lawyer New Jersey respects can explain whether or not there are any special rules that apply to a similar situation.
What If I Get Hurt While Traveling for My Employer?
Workers’ compensation coverage usually excludes travel from your starting point to the worksite, unless you meet one of these exceptions.
- If you are driving a company vehicle when you are injured
- If your job requires you to use your personal car for company business
- If you are injured while on a business trip
- If you have no “home base” for your job and you travel to various work sites throughout the day
What If I Work From Home and Get Injured?
If you work at home and get injured in the course of your duties, you may have workers’ compensation coverage. The location is irrelevant as long as the work is on behalf of the employer.
What Should I Do If I am Injured While Working at Home?
No matter where you are when you get injured, if you were conducting business for the employer, you may be covered by workers’ compensation coverage. If your employer is resisting or denying your coverage, contact a knowledgeable and experienced work related injury lawyer in New Jersey to help preserve your rights and benefits. Call Rispoli & Borneo, P.C.
Work Related Injury Lawyer NJ
Workers’ compensation coverage can seem like a complex process. You probably understand that if you get in an accident while you’re at work that many of your resulting expenses are covered by workers’ compensation benefits. But what if you get injured off-site? Some employees are under contract and not restricted to one principal place of business; therefore, how do those claims get managed? Every state has different rules and regulations governing workers’ compensation claims and benefits. However, generally speaking, if you get hurt while engaging in a work-related duty or act (and you’re eligible for workers’ compensation benefits because you’re not an independent contractor, volunteer, etc.), your injury-related costs should be covered.
If you’ve been injured while offsite, perhaps while driving your car for a work-related purpose, your travel-related accident may very well be covered by workers’ compensation benefits. With that said, there are exceptions to this general rule. As a result, it is important to speak with a work related injury lawyer New Jersey residents trust before making any assumptions about your legal situation. The experienced team at Rispoli & Borneo P.C. is here to answer any questions you may have and to help you with your claims process, if applicable.
Work-Related Activities Defined
Some activities are work-related, like those performed at the office or around a job site. Climbing a ladder to hang drywall, tripping over an upturned rug and slips and falls on water in the hallway seem to be logical for coverage. However, the concept of “work-related” extends beyond the boundaries of a particular location. When you are performing an act that is either part of your regular duties, or a special request of a superior, you are performing a work-related activity. Thus, an accident that happens which meets these criteria should be covered under a workers’ compensation claim, even if the accident happened off-site. If you have questions about whether your situation “counts” as related to your work or not, an experienced New Jersey work related injury lawyer can clarify this concern for you.
Commuting Does Not Count
The act of getting yourself to or from work does not generally fall under the “work-related” umbrella unless you’re performing a work-related task on your way to or from work (like picking something up at the request of your superior). A crash occurring during an ordinary commute is, therefore, not a situation that qualifies for workers’ compensation coverage.
Traveling to a Work Event Outside the Office
There are times when going to a work event away from the office is required. Continuing education classes, for instance, or conferences, typically take place in other locations. What happens if you are struck by another vehicle during this travel time? If the work event was mandatory, you should be covered. When a supervisor makes you attend something outside the regular place of business, any travel there and back to the office typically falls on the shoulders of a workers’ comp provider. Just keep in mind that you’ll want to check with an experienced New Jersey work related injury lawyer before assuming that your situation is covered “for sure.” This area of law gets a little tricky at times, especially if a worker has a hard time proving that their travel to another location was mandatory.
The car accident may not have been your fault. Aside from speaking to a workers’ compensation lawyer about help filing a claim, you may also be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit against the offending driver. Allow a New Jersey work related injury lawyer at our firm to help you explore all of your relevant legal options. We look forward to speaking with you.