The workers’ compensation scheme
covers employees whose injuries arise out of and in the course of employment.
The phrase “arising out of and in the course of employment” seems simple, but
its application can be quite complex. This is a concept that courts have not
given clear guidance on, and therefore it is a question that often ends up
being litigated. Our last blog focused on what it means to arise out of the
course of employment. This week we focus on “arising in the course of employment.”
In Minnesota, an employee is
injured “in the course of” employment when the injury occurs on the premises where
service to the employer is required and during the hours of this service.
Basically, you need to be hurt at work during work hours to bring a claim. This
seems pretty straight forward, but there are a few scenarios where it can get
quite complex.
One example is the employee whose
home is also her workplace. In a 2014 case, a man was working as the caretaker
of a building where he also lived. He decided to move his car to another
parking spot for reasons that were unrelated to his job. On the way to his
vehicle, he noticed some trash in the hallway of the building. He picked up the
trash with the intention of walking it to the garbage can outside. Before he
arrived at the garbage can, he stopped to start his car so that it could warm
up. He then threw away the garbage and slipped and fell on some ice on the way
back to his car. The court ruled that this injury occurred in the course of the
man’s employment because his original intention of making a personal trip to
his car was superseded by his trip to the garbage can for his employer.
As you can see from the example
above, you may have a claim against an employer without even realizing it. The
best way to determine whether or not your injury occurred “in the course of
employment” is to speak to a workers’ compensation attorney who can evaluate
your claim and help protect your rights.
Stay tuned for more posts about
the Minnesota workers’ compensation system. In our next post, we will be
talking about who constitutes an employee. In the meantime, if you have been
injured at work and are not receiving fair compensation from your employer,
give us a call. 612-ASK-DAVE (612-275-3283) or toll free at 1-800-888-4425. We
are here to help!