If you were injured in a car accident while you were in a company work vehicle, you may be concerned about whether or not you will be covered by workers compensation insurance. This is understandable. Medical treatment can be very expensive, and if your injury is serious, the resulting medical bills could be in the tens of thousands of dollars. Added to that is the loss of income while recovering. And it it’s a permanent injury, it may be impossible to return to work. What benefits are you entitled to receive if you were injured while driving or riding in a company work vehicle? Generally speaking, you should be eligible for worker’s compensation under those circumstances. However, there are exceptions which is why it’s important to consult a worker’s compensation lawyer.
What injury accidents are covered by worker’s compensation?
As a general rule, if an employee is injured while performing their job, they are covered by worker’s compensation. In fact, the employee does not even have to be on their employer’s property to be eligible for injury benefits. This is why they should be eligible to receive worker’s compensation if they get into an accident while in a company vehicle. It’s also why many companies require that employees have a valid driver’s license and a clean motor vehicle record before being allowed to drive a company vehicle. It’s to reduce the possibility of a car accident, thus lowering the company’s liability risk. It’s a good policy, but the company must fulfill their obligation to take care of their employee by approving the injured employee’s worker’s compensation claim. They are also obligated to pay the employee a fair settlement, one that reflects the worker’s damages. Unfortunately, between company bean counters and workers compensation insurance companies, it often requires hiring a worker’s compensation lawyer in order to receive a fair benefits package and timely payments.
What injury accidents are NOT covered by worker’s compensation?
If you were driving a company work vehicle and got into an accident which resulted in injuries to you, there are some scenarios in which you may not be eligible to receive workers compensation for your damages. However, a knowledgeable worker’s compensation lawyer can review your case at no charge to confirm whether or not you can still collect benefits. Examples of cases that may affect eligibility include:
- You were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and your negligence caused the accident.
- You initiated an act of “road rage” and subsequently caused the accident as a result.
- You took the company vehicle without authorization or authority.
Every case is different, and a single detail can influence eligibility requirements for obtaining benefits. Call a law office today to discuss your case with New York worker’s compensation lawyers.
Thanks to Polsky, Shouldice & Rosen, P.C. for their insight into workers compensation and injuries in a work vehicle.