Every job involves risk. Construction workers can fall from height, factory workers can get injuries from repeated tasks, and electricians run risks when working with live wires. Because no employer can guarantee a worker’s safety, the law gives the right to workers to ask for compensation when they are injured on the job. However, there are a few exceptions that you must know about if you work in Michigan.
If you’re injured during a work social event
Some companies host social events for their workers, like a company picnic or a Christmas party. While attending those recreational events seems work-related, the law does not view it as actual work. Thus, if you’re injured during one of these events, you typically cannot ask for worker’s compensation benefits.
If you’re injured while commuting
Most jobs require us to commute. However, worker’s compensation insurance won’t cover your losses if you get an injury on your way to or from work. You can only get compensation if you are commuting or traveling because your job requires you to do so.
If you’re injured while breaking the rules
A worker cannot ask their employer for compensation if they’re injured because they broke one of the company’s rules. Also, getting hurt while working under the influence of alcohol or drugs does not constitute a valid claim.
An important consideration about medical conditions
Workers can get disability benefits for work injuries and occupational diseases. Disability benefits enter the picture when a worker cannot work due to their condition, as long as that condition is related to their job. You can also get compensation for a preexisting disability, but only if your job actually changed the pathology of your condition.
Your rights as a worker
In Michigan, employers must carry worker’s compensation insurance to pay for their workers’ losses if they get an injury or disease on the job. If this happened to you, you must act quickly and ask your employer for your lawful compensation. You deserve your worker’s compensation benefits, and if denied, you can fight for them in court.