Last Updated: Aug 10, 2026
Read Time: 2 mins
Workers compensation insurance is a requirement that many employers must have. It is designed to alleviate the burden on businesses and workers in the event of an accident. If a worker suffers an injury at their workplace, workers compensation benefits can cover the costs of their injury, such as medical treatment, missed wages, and disability-related expenses. However, an experienced workers compensation lawyer can explain that workers who suffer injuries in certain scenarios will not be eligible to recover compensation.
Commuting
If a worker gets injured on their way to and from work, then the injury would not be covered by workers compensation. For an injury to be covered by workers compensation insurance, the accident must have occurred at the worksite. This rule also applies if a worker leaves the job site and is traveling to and from lunch. Certain exemptions apply however, such as if a worker is flying on a business trip.
Fooling Around
Injuries that are covered by workers compensation are ones that occur while a worker is completing a task or is walking through the job site. If a worker suffers an injury while on their break and was not doing work-related tasks, then their injury will not be covered. However, there are exemptions. If a worker was injured as a result of other workers’ activities, then they may be able to file a claim.
Criminal Acts
Workers who sustain an injury while committing a crime are not eligible to file a workers compensation claim. This includes driving while under the influence and using illegal substances. An example is if a worker suffers an injury after assaulting a customer, or if a worker becomes injured after trying to steal a product at work. The worker can be barred from filing a claim if they have committed a crime, whether it was violent or not.
It can be difficult to navigate the workers compensation system because it can be quite complex. Understanding how the system workers can be challenging, especially if your case is not straightforward. You should hire a workers compensation lawyer who has experience handling claims and have been able to help their clients recover the full compensation that they were entitled to. To learn more, schedule a consultation so that a lawyer can assess your case and explain next steps that you can take.
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