Were You Injured on the Job at an Off-Work Site?
If you’re injured at work, you’ll look to workers’ compensation to cover your losses, which is complicated enough. If, however, you’re injured while you’re on the clock but aren’t at the job site, the matter is that much more challenging. Having an experienced Philadelphia workers’ compensation attorney on your side from the start can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim.
Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation is designed to balance governmental protections for both employees and employers. If you’re injured at work, your necessary medical expenses and a specific percentage of your lost earnings are covered, and while your employer is required to cover the cost of workers’ compensation insurance, they’re protected from the lawsuits they might otherwise face.
Working at an Off-Site Location
You know that you’re covered by workers’ compensation while you’re on the job, but what happens if you’re working somewhere other than your job site? Workers’ compensation coverage applies whenever the following are true:
- The employee is at work and on the premises of their workplace.
- The employee is performing the daily duties that make up their job.
Employees are covered by workers’ compensation for all compensable injuries, which refers to all the following:
- The individual is employed by the business – independent contractors, suppliers, and buyers are not included in this category.
- The covered injury or illness is work-related.
- The injury or illness caused the employee to suffer a covered loss, such as medical bills.
If you were working off-site, the big question here becomes whether your injury is work-related. Let’s take a closer look.
Is the Injury Work-Related?
In order for your injury to qualify as work-related, it must have happened during what is called the course and scope of your work. If the work you were doing furthered your employer’s business, which means it was to their advantage, it qualifies as being work-related. If the work you were doing at the time of the injury-causing accident was in support of your employer’s business, you can seek workers’ compensation.
A common example is being out on a delivery to one of your employer’s customers or picking something up on your employer’s behalf. These are both considered within the course and scope of your employment.
Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
After you report your injury, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier will decide whether to accept or deny your claim. If your claim is denied because you were off-site at the time of your injury, you can challenge this by filing a Claim Petition. You will want an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to help you with this process, but evidence like the following can strengthen your claim:
- Any evidence you have of your employer’s instructions regarding your off-site work
- The testimony of eyewitnesses who have knowledge of your work assignment
- Your regularly scheduled work hours
- The testimony of those you were working with
- Your work history as it relates to working off-site
Speak with an Experienced Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today
The practiced Philadelphia workers’ compensation attorneys at HGSK Injury Lawyers care about you and your case and have the experience, legal skills, and drive to help. Learn more by contacting or calling us at 267-350-6600 and scheduling a free consultation today.