Eligibility for Workers' Compensation After a Job-Related Accident

Workers' compensation insurance will cover most job-related injuries, but there are some exceptions.

By , J.D. · University of San Francisco School of Law

Every state, plus the federal government, has a workers' compensation law that requires employers to provide certain types of insurance benefits for employees who were injured in the course of their employment. Workers' compensation laws and procedures differ from state to state, but this article will discuss the general rules.

Who is Eligible for Workers' Compensation Benefits?

In order to qualify for workers' compensation benefits, you must be an "employee," with two limited exceptions. Crewmembers on vessels and interstate railroad workers are ineligible for workers' compensation benefits. If those types of employees get injured on the job, federal law requires them to sue their employers instead of receiving workers' compensation benefits. For most other workers, their eligibility for workers' compensation benefits is based on whether they are employees or independent contractors.

Difference Between Employees and Independent Contractors

An employee is someone who works for another person or company, and who is not an independent contractor. So what is the difference? There are a number of factors to consider in determining the difference, but, in general, an employee is a worker who:

  • works under the direction and control of the employer
  • performs the regular business of the employer
  • uses the employer's tools
  • has a long term position with the employer, and
  • has taxes taken out of his/her pay by the employer.

An independent contractor is the opposite. Independent contractors use their own tools, don't have taxes taken out by the employer, might be hired for only one job, and aren't necessarily performing the employer's regular business.

An important distinction between the two is who controls the details of the work. An employer has the authority to tell an employee exactly to perform every step of the job. By contrast, the employer doesn't have the power to tell an independent contractor how to perform the job. A good example is a plumber or an electrician. When you hire a plumber or an electrician, you tell them what you want them to do (i.e., fix a leak or your wiring), but you don't tell them how to do it.

Drivers for ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft have repeatedly been found to be independent contractors, though that could change in the future.

Does My Injury Have To Be My Employer's Fault For Me To Receive Workers' Compensation?

Workers' compensation has nothing to do with fault. You are entitled to receive workers' compensation benefits if your injury was your fault, your employer's fault, or nobody's faultas long as the injury is related to your job.

Can I Sue My Employer if I Get Hurt At Work?

No, the workers' compensation system is typically an injured employee's sole remedy against the employer with respect to that injury. With a few narrow exceptions, you cannot sue your employer for damages for your injury.

If you were exposed to toxic substances such as asbestos, or your injury was the result of your employer's purposeful conduct, you might be permitted to sue. Contact a workers' compensation attorney to discuss the best way forward.

What Happens If My Injury Did Not Happen On My Employer's Premises?

The injury need not occur on the employer's premises. You are entitled to workers' compensation benefits as long as you are injured while in the course of your employment. Many types of work-related activities take place away from your employer's office or factory, such as:

  • deliveries
  • business meetings, and
  • work-related education.

Travel to and from business meetings and work-related education is also considered to be in the course of one's employment. An injury at a company picnic or recreational event can even be covered by workers' compensation, depending on the nature of the event.

Injuries Not Covered By Workers' Compensation

An injury that occurs while you are commuting to and from your regular place of employment is not generally covered under workers' compensation. Also, not all injuries that occur during work-related business travel will be covered under workers' compensation. If, for example, you get injured while sightseeing or doing other non-business-related activities during a business trip, that injury will generally not be covered.

What If Your Employer Doesn't Have Workers' Compensation Insurance?

All employers are required to have either workers' compensation insurance or be self-insured. If your employer does not have insurance and is not self-insured, you may generally take one or even both of the following actions:

  • you can sue your employer (another exception to the rule that you cannot sue your employer for a work-related injury), or
  • you can file a workers' compensation claim with your state's special fund for handling uninsured workers' compensation claims (if your state has such a fund).

If you get hurt at work, and your employer does not have workers' compensation insurance, you should contact a workers' compensation lawyer immediately.

What Benefits Does Workers' Compensation Provide?

Although every state's law is a little different, workers' compensation laws generally provide injured employees with the following types of benefits:

Injured employees are not entitled to workers' compensation benefits for pain and suffering like in a private injury lawsuit. How much you'll receive in workers' comp benefits depends on the nature of your injury and the law in your state.

Make the Most of Your Claim
Get the compensation you deserve.
We've helped 265 clients find attorneys today.
There was a problem with the submission. Please refresh the page and try again
Full Name is required
Email is required
Please enter a valid Email
Phone Number is required
Please enter a valid Phone Number
Zip Code is required
Please add a valid Zip Code
Please enter a valid Case Description
Description is required

How It Works

  1. Briefly tell us about your case
  2. Provide your contact information
  3. Choose attorneys to contact you