You can sustain injuries outside your workplace, possibly when commuting to or from it. So, will workers’ compensation cover you in such an instance?
According to New Jersey’s going and coming rule, employment is deemed to commence when an employee arrives at the employer’s place of work and ends when they leave. Therefore, your injuries may not be compensated if you are involved in an accident outside of work.
Nonetheless, there are exceptions, including:
Out for work purposes
If you are out of your employer’s place of employment but for work purposes, perhaps your employer sent you to run errands, you are deemed to be in the course of employment. Therefore, if you sustain an injury in this case, you may be eligible for worker’s compensation benefits.
However, this may not apply when the time spent traveling to and from the job site ends. Thus, if you complete your employer-assigned duties and suffer an injury when running personal errands, you may be ineligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
Injured within business premises
If you are injured outside your office but within a location your employer controls, you can file a workers’ compensation claim. This includes parking lots, entry to and exit from the premises and common areas. For example, if you slip and fall in the parking lot due to a crack.
Further, if you work remotely and suffer an injury, for example, carpal tunnel syndrome from typing, workers’ compensation may cover you. Of course, you will be off the premises, but were injured while performing work duties.
Being injured outside of work or remotely can be challenging. If you are unsure of the circumstances surrounding your injury, consider legal guidance to obtain adequate information.