One innovative way many California employers use to motivate their workers is teambuilding activities. Your employer may require you to participate in some. Not all teambuilding events take place on the job. Some may require you to travel to another site for the duration of the event.
Even though such an event is not your normal job surroundings, it is still an employer-sanctioned event. If you find yourself injured because of an accident while you are participating, you may be wondering if you still qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.
Are off-site accidents applicable?
Workers’ compensation covers workplace and work-related accidents. Accidents that occur off the worksite must meet certain conditions in order for accident victims to receive their benefits.
Work-sanctioned activities are covered
Your injuries do not necessarily have to occur at your normal work site to make you eligible for benefits. In the event of an accident during a teambuilding activity, you were participating in a work-sanctioned event that your employer specified for you to attend. As long as you were not in violation of any workplace rules and not intoxicated or on a controlled substance, you should not encounter issues with your claim.
Your employer is not obligated to agree with your claim
Your employer can dispute or deny any claim the company feels is fraudulent or does not want to pay out on. This is one reason why it is so important for you to start the claims process as soon as possible. Make sure you gather contact information for all witnesses and follow up with the right medical professionals. If your employer disputes your claim, you have the right to file an appeal.
If your employer has not filed a claim for you, do not hesitate to file one for yourself. There are time limits that you must adhere to, or you risk losing your benefits. Because workers’ compensation claims are not always easy to file and get approved, you may find it easier to speak to an attorney for guidance.
