Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation if I Got Into an Accident in Bad Weather?

During the snowy and icy winter season, we’re often asked whether or not workers’ compensation covers car accidents that occur due to hazardous weather conditions. Workers’ compensation cases can often be tricky, so it’s important to understand in what instances employees may qualify for workers’ compensation before moving forward with a lawsuit.

First of all, to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, an injury must be “work-related”. Typically, if an injury occurs while on a job site or in a place of work, it is easy to consider it a work-related injury. However, matters get a bit more confusing when it comes to car accidents.

If you are driving or riding in a car for work-related reasons, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation in some instances. Some examples may be:

-       If you were running an errand for your employer

-       If your job requires you to make deliveries, and you were driving to or from making a delivery

-       If you drive for a living

-       If you travel for work instead of having a fixed office

-       If your employer pays you for travel time to and/or from home

 Generally speaking, commute time to and from the office is not considered a work-related activity. As such, it is not often that an accident that occurred during the drive to or from work would be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.

If you have been in an accident and would like to discuss your eligibility for workers’ compensation with an experienced attorney, contact Lemire & Higgins today.