What Happens If I Get Injured Outside of Work?

Whether you’re at work, walking down the street, or driving your car, accidents can happen anytime, anywhere. For many people, experiencing an injury-causing accident can mean costly medical bills and time away from work. 

What happens if you sustain an injury outside of work? Are you entitled to any kind of financial assistance for your medical bills and lost wages?

Determining if you are eligible for worker’s compensation or another type of personal injury claim can help you recover from your injury physically and financially – especially if your injury is preventing you from working and earning a living.

If you get injured outside of work but within the scope of your employment, you may still be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. If not, there are legal options available to you if your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions.

At The Cartwright Law Firm, we can help you understand your legal options following an injury. With the right information and legal representation, you can seek restitution to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to your injury. 

Contact our experienced personal injury lawyers today to request a free case consultation. 

Types of Personal Injury Claims 

If you have suffered an injury, you may be able to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. If your injury was caused by the negligence or carelessness of another person, such as an auto accident or slip and fall, you can initiate a claim against that person or entity. 

• Workers Compensation. People injured at work or during the scope of employment can seek compensation for their damages from their employer.  
• Premise Liability. People injured due to the negligence of a property owner, such as a slip and fall, can seek compensation for their damages from the property owner. 
• Auto Accident. People injured in an auto accident can seek compensation for their injuries from their personal auto insurance and the other party’s auto insurance. 
• Dog Bite. People bitten by another person’s dog can seek compensation for the damages from the dog’s owner’s home insurance or through a personal lawsuit. 
• Medical Malpractice. People injured by a mistake or negligence of a medical professional can seek compensation for their damages through a malpractice claim.  
• Product Liability. People injured by a product defect can seek a claim against the maker and distributor of the product. 
• Toxic Exposure. People injured by toxic exposure such as asbestos or lead can file a claim against the company or government agency that caused or failed to prevent the exposure.     

Regardless of the incident, seeking medical attention and consulting with a personal injury lawyer is important to understand your legal options.  

What Injuries Does Workers Compensation Cover? 

Workers’ compensation is designed to provide financial protection to employees who are injured on the job. When an employee sustains an injury that is work-related, they may be eligible to receive benefits through their employer’s workers’ comp insurance policy. 

In general, injuries that are covered by workers’ compensation include those that occur on the job, on the premises, while performing regular work duties. However, there are other scenarios where workers’ compensation insurance can come into play.

Here are some instances when injuries from outside of work may be covered by workers’ compensation:

• Company events: Employees who attend company events, such as parties or picnics, and get injured during them may be able to receive workers’ compensation benefits. This is true regardless of whether the event takes place on company property or not. 
• Out-of-town travel: Employees who are traveling for work, such as for a business meeting or special event, and are injured during the trip may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. This includes injuries sustained during travel time, such as in a car accident. 
• Injury on employer property: Workers’ compensation insurance may also cover injuries sustained by employees on employer property, even if the injury occurs outside of regular work hours. The key factor here is whether the employer has control over the area where the injury occurred. If the employer owns the property or is responsible for maintaining it, the employee may be covered by workers’ comp.

Workers’ compensation insurance can provide financial support to employees who are injured on the job, or in scenarios related to work duties. It’s important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to understand your legal rights and options.

Legal Protections For Work & Non-Work Injuries 

In California, employees are protected under various laws when it comes to work and non-work-related injuries. These laws are in place to protect you against workplace retaliation or termination following an injury. 

For instance, the California Family Rights Act provides job-protected leave for up to 12 workweeks within a 12-month period if an employee is unable to work due to an injury, illness, or pregnancy. Additionally, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) specifically prohibits employers with five or more employees from discriminating against or firing employees due to physical or mental disabilities, medical conditions, pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions.

These laws help to ensure that employees with illnesses or injuries are not discriminated against or unfairly treated by their employers. If you sustain an injury at work or outside of work and your employer retaliates against you or terminates you, they may be violating this legislation. 

Our reliable employment attorneys can help you understand and defend your rights. Contact us today if you believe your employer may be in violation of these legal protections.    

Contact Our San Francisco Personal Injury Lawyers 

If you have been injured outside of work and believe you may have a personal injury claim, it is crucial to seek the guidance of an experienced personal injury lawyer. 

Our San Francisco personal injury lawyers at The Cartwright Law Firm have decades of combined experience representing clients who have suffered severe injuries due to car accidents, slips and falls, and other types of accidents. We are committed to helping you receive restitution for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. 

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal options. Let us fight for your rights and help you get back on your feet.