Work Accidents and Injuries Covered by Virginia Workers’ Compensation

Everyone is entitled to work in a safe environment; however, when work accidents occur, they have the potential to cause serious injuries. If you have recently sustained a work injury that requires medical treatment and time off of work, a qualified Richmond injury attorney can help you file a Virginia Workers’ Compensation claim in order to get your expenses covered.

While you must be able to prove that your employer is responsible for your work injury, work accidents don’t always occur when you are performing your job responsibilities; other work-related events could be responsible for your injuries. A Richmond injury attorney can gather evidence to establish that your employer is liable for your injury in an effort to prove your case. 

When You’re Injured While Traveling

While being injured during your commute to your workplace isn’t typically covered by Virginia Workers’ Compensation, you may be covered if you’re driving a company vehicle and are injured while traveling to work.

Injuries sustained during a business trip may also be covered by workers’ comp. For example, if you are a salesperson who must travel to different locations to meet with clients and you are involved in a car accident that results in injuries, you may file a claim for workers’ comp benefits. 

Suffering a Work Injury at Company Functions

If your company sponsors a special employee function, such as a party or sporting event, and you are injured, your work accident may be covered by workers’ comp. For example, if you are participating in a company-sponsored baseball game and sustain a broken arm during a fall, you may be eligible to file for Virginia Workers’ Compensation benefits to obtain compensation for your medical treatment and lost wages. 

Injured During Lunch Breaks 

In most cases, injuries that occur during your lunch break cannot be covered by workers comp. However, if your boss asked you to go out to pick up lunch for him or her, and you break your leg by slipping on the restaurant floor, you may be able to get Virginia Workers’ Compensation benefits. 

Additionally, if you injure yourself at your workplace cafeteria, then you may be covered under workers comp. A Richmond injury attorney can review your situation to determine if the work accident is covered and help you file the appropriate paperwork for your Workers’ Compensation claim. 

Aggravating Pre-existing Conditions

Work accidents can be a little bit trickier to claim when a pre-existing condition exists, but it can be done. For example, if you had a back injury when you were younger and it resolved itself and you are asked years later to carry heavy boxes and it caused the injury to recur, you may be entitled to Virginia Workers’ Compensation benefits to treat your injury.

A Richmond injury attorney can work with your physician to establish that your work accident aggravated your pre-existing condition. 

Violating Safety Rules

Many employers have enforced strict safety rules in order to avoid work accidents and injuries; however, if you were injured while breaking these rules, there is a chance that your medical expenses can be covered by Virginia Workers’ Compensation benefits.

Please note that if you intentionally harm yourself, your injuries may not be covered. A lawyer can look at the circumstances of your work accident to determine if you are eligible to file for benefits. 

Workplace Hearing Loss

If your work involves being around loud noises and you sustain hearing loss as a result, Virginia Workers’ Compensation may cover your medical treatment. The key is to prove that the hearing loss occurred as a result of your job, and not another factor. 

Contact a Richmond Injury Attorney

As you can see, a number of work accidents may be covered by Virginia Workers’ Compensation. When you have difficulties with your work-related injury claim, a Virginia workers’ comp attorney can bear some of the burden you’ve been placed under. To get back on your feet, whether it means getting back to work or getting the benefits you deserve, order a copy of our free book, the Ultimate Guide to Workers’ Compensation in Virginia, and contact a workers’ comp attorney at the Injured Workers Law Firm for a no-cost consultation – 877-755-7744 or 804-755-7755.