If I Get Hurt At a Company Event Can I Claim Workers Compensation?

I Got Hurt at My Company Picnic, or Outing – Is that Workers’ Compensation?

Many companies have summer picnics, or social activities, but what happens if you get injured at this summer outing.  Is your injury covered under workers’ compensation?  If you slip and break your ankle because you slid into home plate at the company’s annual summer softball game, there are factors which dictate whether this is workers’ compensation or not.  The workers’ compensation laws of North Carolina and South Carolina construe what is in the course of your employment very broadly.

Factors that come into play for an injury that occurred at the summer outing include:

Whether the party was sponsored, and paid for by your employer.

Whether you were paid wages for attending, and whether attendance was taken.

Whether the party was considered a fringe benefit of employment.

Whether you were required to work if you didn’t go to the outing.

Whether attendance was mandatory, and whether there would be a penalty for not attending, i.e was it really mandatory.

Whether there was a known company custom for attending the outing.

And, whether the purpose of the party was to benefit the employer, such as improving employer/employee relations, and the kind of event where awards were given, and speeches were made that were connected to the company’s work, and that of the employees.

So, if you have been hurt on the job during a company outing, pick up the phone and call Tippens & Zurosky, so we can be your voice, answer all of your questions, and file your claim!  Tippens & Zurosky has knowledgeable, experienced attorneys who can fight for your rights during this often long and difficult workers' compensation process.  Call us toll-free at 877-372-3580, or at 704-343-0018, for a free consultation.  Let us help you!

Tips For A Safe Summer In The Carolinas

A Safe Summer is the Best Summer

Summer is here and with school out many young and inexperienced drivers are on the road at times they are usually not driving.  Some may be traveling to summer jobs, and learning the hazards of morning rush hour, while others may be going to water parks, amusement parks, or the beaches or mountains.  So, be aware of these carloads of potential chaos, and make sure to give these young drivers extra following space, and allow them the courtesy of learning the right, and safe way to drive by being a good example on the road.

If you have a job that takes you outside in the summer months, take the simple, common sense precautions of staying hydrated, having on sun protection, and being aware for signs of heat stroke.  Also, the forests, mountains, oceans, rivers, and lakes of North Carolina and South Carolina are teeming with wild creatures and insects that may choose to defend their territory.  Take a little more time if need be to finish that task, and avoid the careless stepping on of a hornet’s nest, or fire ant mound.  Sure, you have yourself a workers’ compensation case, and your employer, or their workers’ compensation insurance company will pay for your medical bills, but that is a painful way to learn about the workers’ compensation process!    

Tippens & Zurosky is available to serve your auto accident and workers’ compensation needs, and wishes you a safe and happy summer.  Tippens & Zurosky has represented people involved in auto accidents, or hurt on the job in North Carolina and South Carolina for nearly twenty years.  Let us answer any of your questions regarding any automobile accident, or work-related injury.  Call us toll free at (877) 372-3580, or 704-343-0018 to schedule a consultation so that we may assist you.