What Happens if You Are Injured While Working Off-Site
Suppose you suffered an injury while at work. In this case, you are covered by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. If you suffered an injury in the course of work-related activity while off-site, however, the issue is more complicated. Ultimately, every workers’ compensation claim is considered in the context of the circumstances that apply. If you were working off-site, obtaining fair compensation can sometimes be more challenging.
Having the skilled legal guidance of our experienced Greenwood workers’ comp attorneys at Nicholson, Meredith & Anderson on your side can help make a big difference in the outcome of your claim.
Eligibility for Workers’ Comp Coverage in Greenwood
For your injury to be covered by workers’ compensation, it must arise out of and in the course of your employment. This breaks down into two primary factors.
The Cause of Your Injury
To begin, the cause of your injury must stem from your job. This means that you must have suffered an injury from a risk factor associated with your work, rather than as a result of your everyday life.
In the Course of Doing Your Job
The second determining factor when it comes to workers’ comp claims based on working off-site is the course and scope of your work. This relates to where and when the accident happened as well as to the circumstances involved. For example, commuting to and from work is not in the scope of your job, but there are exceptions to this rule.
Considering your off-site accident in relation to these factors is key to determining whether workers’ compensation applies.
The Coming and Going Rule
South Carolina has what’s called a coming-and-going rule. While an employee who suffers an injury during their normal commute generally is not eligible for workers’ comp, the following exceptions apply:
- The employee suffered an injury in the course of their regular work, which applies to truck drivers and delivery people.
- The employee suffered an injury when traveling out of town for work, such as for a sales call or conference.
- The employee suffered an injury while driving from one job site to another within a shift. This form of commute is more likely to be considered part of one’s normal work duties.
- The employee suffered an injury in transportation provided by their employer or was driving to or from work in a company car.
- The employee suffered an injury in the course of running an errand specifically for their employer.
Every workers’ comp claim is unique to its specific circumstances. Discuss yours with a trusted workers’ compensation lawyer today.
Our Experienced Greenwood Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Can Help
The seasoned Greenwood workers’ compensation attorneys at Nicholson, Meredith & Anderson recognize how stressful complex claims like yours can be, and we’ll leave no stone unturned in our focused efforts to help. To learn more about what we can do for you, please don’t delay contacting us online or giving our firm a call at 864-229-7241 today.