3 Rare Circumstances Under Which Employees are Eligible for Workers Compensation During Travel
As an employee, you are probably aware that you are covered against injuries at work under the Workers Compensation Act. Therefore, if you sustain injuries at your place of work, you are entitled to compensation from your employer. However, you might question the extent to which you are covered by workers compensation when you commute to and from the workplace. While in many circumstances injuries that are sustained as you travel will not be eligible for reimbursement by your employer, it is critical to be aware of the few conditions under which you qualify for compensation. This article explains conditions under which you might be compensated for injuries sustained during travel to or away from your place of work.
Employer Provides Transport -- If you use your own transport or public means to go work, then you will not be covered under the Workers Compensation Act if an accident occurs. This can be attributed to the fact that your job hours have not yet begun. However, if your employer provides commuting services, then the law assumes that you are on the clock the moment you step into the bus. For example, if you step into the bus and the driver is quick to close the door while your hand is still on the door and presses your fingers, you qualify for workers compensation despite the fact that you have not reached the workplace.
Part of Work Done Away From Workplace -- Today, in what are termed flexible workplaces, many employers allow their employees to perform some of their duties at home or some other place away from the office. If you work in such an environment, then you will most likely be doing some of your duties at home or your favorite coffee restaurant. As such, if you get injured as you commute away from your workplace to finish a work assignment at home, you are eligible for workers compensation. For instance, if you are on your way home after conducting a market research on your company's competitor and are involved in an accident, then you are entitled to compensation. Whether the crash and injury sustained occurred outside normal working hours or not, your employer is supposed to compensate you.
Commuting Between Workplace Sites – It is common for companies to have several sites in different locations. Therefore, you might be required to travel between the various premises in the course of discharging your duties. Additionally, you might need to use public means during such instances. If you get injured while traveling from one office site to another, your worker's compensation lawyer should help you get compensated.
