What If My Injury Took Place Outside of Work?

Engaged in Work-Related Activities

Many assume that workers' compensation claims can only be filed for injuries suffered on the job, but this is not always the case. Depending on where you live, you can file a claim even if your injury occurred outside of work. This is especially true in states like Iowa, where many workplace activities are considered "work-related" and thus eligible for workers' compensation benefits.

If you have been injured while doing a workplace activity outside of work, it's essential to know your rights and understand how to pursue a workers' compensation claim. In this blog, we'll take an in-depth look at when and why workers' compensation claims can be filed if an injury was sustained outside of work.

Engaged in Work Activity

Workers' compensation claims can be filed if an injury was sustained while engaged in a work activity outside of work. In Iowa, workers' compensation laws are designed to ensure that employees are adequately compensated for injuries that occur while doing any job-related activities. For example, if a truck driver were injured while running errands for their employer, they would likely be eligible to file a workers' compensation claim. Similarly, an office worker who trips on the sidewalk outside the office and sustains an injury may also be able to file a claim.

Qualifying “Work-Related”

For an employee's injury to qualify as "work-related," it must be directly related to their job duties or activity. This means that the employee must have been either required to do the task by their employer or engaged in a work-related activity at the time of injury. If an employee were injured while doing something completely unrelated to their job duties, such as taking a walk on their own time, the injury would not qualify for workers' compensation benefits.

Don't Wait-File Your Claim As Soon As Possible

It's important to note that workers' compensation claims are subject to certain time limits. In Iowa, employees must report their injuries within 90 days to be eligible for benefits. This means it is essential to file a claim as soon as possible after an injury has occurred, even if it happened outside of work. An employee may be ineligible for workers' compensation benefits if a claim is not filed within the allotted time frame.

The team at Pothitakis Law Firm is ready to help you get the compensation for your work-related injuries that you deserve. Learn how we can help or schedule your consultation by calling (319) 318-0450 or visiting our website.