Most workers' compensation cases are straightforward: An accident may occur in a warehouse or other job site that causes harm to an employee on the clock. If this happens, the employee will receive medical treatment for their injuries, and workers' comp benefits pay for their medical expenses. However, what if you were injured away from your typical place of work while doing a job for your employer? Here's how to identify whether you are still eligible to claim workers' comp benefits.

Were You on Your Commute?

Unfortunately, if you get into a car accident on your way to or from a job site, workers' compensation will not cover your injuries. You'll have to rely upon your car insurance to pay for medical expenses and lost wages. However, there is an exception: If you were injured at your workplace premises, such as slipping and falling in an icy parking lot, then you may be eligible to recover benefits from your employer. It depends on whether your employer was directly responsible for maintaining the property, so you may want to ask an attorney about your eligibility.

Were You Running an Errand for Your Employer?

You might be technically off the clock when an employer asks you to quickly run an errand, such as delivering contracts to a client's office or picking up items from a supplier. Because this duty counts as work-related, any injuries should be covered by your employer's workers' compensation insurance. If your employer disputes your benefit claim, you may need help from a lawyer to prove that the errand was legally within the scope of your employment and thus eligible for coverage.

Were You on a Business Trip?

If you are traveling and get injured, whether workers' comp applies depends on the duties you were performing when you got injured. For example, if you were in another city taking a taxi to a business conference and got into a car accident, then workers' comp coverage would likely apply because you were engaged in activities that benefited your employer. However, if you were out to lunch for a break during the conference and slipped at a restaurant, injuring yourself, you would likely be ineligible for workers' comp because the accident did not occur during your working hours.

Employers don't always honor workers' comp claims for injuries that happen away from a job site. If you encounter difficulties obtaining the benefits you need, a workers' compensation attorney may be able to help you. Contact a workers' compensation attorney for more information.