Unusual Injuries That Are Covered Under Workers Comp

Workers compensation benefits cover your medical payments and other expenses when you're injured while performing a task associated with your job or for your employer. You might be surprised, though, about the injuries workers comp can cover. Learn more as you take advantage of your benefits. 

If you trip on the sidewalk as you walk to the corner deli for your lunch, your injuries won't be covered by workers comp. However, if you're fetching lunch for your boss or eating in your workplace cafeteria and trip, your injuries fall under your workers comp benefits. 

Attend a picnic, party or concert hosted by your company, and you can file a workers comp claim if you're injured while participating. For example, if you're dancing at the company holiday party and tear your meniscus, file a workers comp claim. 

You can't claim injuries that occur on your daily commute as you drive your personal vehicle. You can, though, claim injuries that occur when you're driving a company vehicle or traveling for work to meetings, the second office or another location.

If your job cases stress, anxiety, depression, trauma or other mental health conditions, your workers comp benefits can cover treatment. Be prepared to prove that your condition is caused by your job. 

Certain preexisting conditions, such as a back injury, lung damage or carpal tunnel, even if they didn't happen on the job, can be aggravated by your job. In those cases, you can file a workers comp claim. 

Suffer an injury while playing a practical jokes or even a friendly game of trash can basketball, and you might be able to open a workers comp claim. With the exception of self-inflicted injuries, you can also file a claim when you disobey a workplace safety rule.