Traveling for work can be exciting. You get to fly around the world, meet new people, stay in new cities, and do all of it on the company’s dime. Unfortunately, with constant traveling comes the increased potential for injury. Whether you’re running through an airport to catch a flight, or you collide on the road in a busy and unfamiliar area, the risk of getting into an accident that results in injury is larger while traveling.
One of the things you might not have considered when you accepted a job that involved business travel is how your injuries might be handled if you did have an accident. Companies are mandated by both state and Federal law to purchase worker’s compensation insurance. Unfortunately, workers aren’t protected in every instance. Traveling for business creates unique liabilities. Here’s what you should know:
You Must Be an Employee
One of the first ways to determine whether or not you’ll be eligible for claiming worker’s compensation benefits is to classify what type of worker you are. Not all workers are able to file claims when they are injured. You must be an employee of the company you’re working for. You can’t claim benefits if you’re an intern, a volunteer, or a contractor.
If you are an executive officer of the company, things can get a little complicated. In most states, executives are classified as employees of the corporation. Since they are employees, they are entitled to claim injuries. With this being said, there are states that allow executives to opt out of receiving coverage to keep worker’s compensation insurance rates down.
Will Injury during Travel Be Covered?
If you are an employee and you have not opted out of coverage because you are an executive, you then have to take a look at what types of activities will be covered by the insurance. Reach out to a lawyer, like Alexander Law Group, for more information on what is and what isn’t covered. Since worker’s compensation coverage is highly regulated by the state, all companies must provide the same type of protection.
Travel to and from work, which is known as your commute, is generally excluded. Driving to and from work sites for business purposes is however coverage. If you are traveling and the primary purpose of the trip is business-related, those injuries will more than likely be covered. Insurance also typically pays for injuries sustained if employees are attending a company-sponsored event.
There are many different types of personal injuries that you can suffer from. Unfortunately, some of these are sustained while you are working hard to make a living. If you suffer an injury while you are on a business trip, review your rights and get the compensation you deserve.