Can You File a Workers’ Compensation Claim While on a Business Trip?

On Behalf of Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa | December 21, 2022 | Workers' Compensation

Workers’ compensation insurance seems simple enough. Employees obtain benefits from workers’ comp insurance after suffering work-related injuries instead of suing employers or using their own health coverage. But there are various irregularities, exemptions, and exceptions to workers’ comp law, which makes it confusing to many workers.

When it comes to workers’ compensation insurance and business trips, the rules become more complicated. Mainly because business trips often involve a combination of business and leisure activities. Whether or not workers’ comp coverage will cover the injury you suffered on your business trip will depend on the specific circumstances of the accident that led to your injuries.

Is The Accident Related to Business or Leisure?

Many workers’ compensation cases that involve business trips significantly rest on what the worker was doing when they got injured. Specifically, were they doing something work-related? Workers are eligible for workers’ comp benefits when they travel for work and are performing official business for their employers.

On the other hand, they are not qualified for workers’ comp benefits when they are engaged in activities that are not within the scope and course of official employer business, such as vacations, even if the workers combined business and leisure.

For instance, let’s say Christopher was on a business trip in West Palm Beach when he decides to go out for lunch with friends during his off hours. He gets into an auto accident while on the way to the restaurant. In this scenario, because he was injured while doing an activity that’s not work-related, workers’ compensation will not cover his injuries. This applies even though he was in West Palm Beach for a business trip.

In another scenario, let’s say Anne treats a client to lunch while on a business trip in West Palm Beach. She slipped on a slippery floor during lunch. In this case, Anne was doing a work-related activity, which falls under the course and scope of their employment, so workers’ comp coverage will likely cover her injuries.

In both scenarios, Christopher and Anne were injured while on a business trip, but only Anne might be eligible to receive workers’ comp benefits.

Get In Touch With a Skilled West Palm Beach Workers’ Compensation Attorney Now

Workers’ compensation cases that involve business trips can be particularly complex. It is usually recommended to discuss your case with a West Palm Beach workers’ comp lawyer if you are not sure whether your injuries are covered or if you require guidance filing a workers’ compensation claim. Additionally, reach out to a workers’ comp lawyer right away if your employer is fighting or denying your claim.

Having an experienced workers’ comp lawyer on your side will increase your chances of winning your claim and ensure that you secure compensation that will cover all your losses. To learn more about your specific situation, contact Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa today. Please call our office at 561-478-2500 or contact us online to arrange your free case evaluation with our West Palm Beach workers’ compensation attorney.