Unfortunately for many people in Columbus, a serious accident and injury can happen while you are on your way into work. In some cases, these accidents happen while a person is driving to work or taking public transit to their office or worksite. In other cases, the accident might happen after a person has already pulled into the parking lot at work or after that person has even clocked in for the day and is heading to a workstation.
In nearly all of these cases, an injured person wants to know if they are eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim. This is a difficult issue when you are injured on your way to work, but I can talk with you about your options. In the meantime, the following questions can help you to understand whether or not you could be eligible for compensation through the Ohio workers’ comp system.
Where Did the Accident Happen Exactly?
The first question you will want to ask yourself is where, exactly, did the accident happen? If you were on your way to work but had not yet reached your workplace, you probably cannot file a workers’ compensation claim.
Had you already reached your workplace? Had you gone through the doors to your office building when you tripped and fell on your way to your desk? Or had you arrived at the construction site where you work and were walking to the scaffolding where you planned to start your workday when you were struck by a falling object?
These kinds of cases are a bit trickier. In order to be eligible for workers’ compensation, your injury must arise out of your employment. If you drive a vehicle as part of your job, you do not need to be on a worksite when an accident happens to be eligible for workers’ comp, but you do need to be working.
While it is clear that accidents that happen en route to your workplace or worksite do not make you eligible for workers’ comp, some of these other scenarios I have outlined are less clear. I can talk with you about your options and whether you could be eligible for workers’ comp benefits.
Filing an Insurance Claim or a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Even if you are ineligible for workers’ comp, this fact alone does not mean that you cannot seek compensation for your injuries. If another person was at fault for injuries that occurred when you were driving to work or on public transit, you may be able to file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. I can help you with both.
Call My Office for Help with Your Injury Case
I know how frustrating it can be to suffer a serious injury because of someone else’s negligence when you are on your way into work. Depending upon where and how the accident happened, you could potentially be eligible for workers’ comp benefits. More likely, however, workers’ compensation benefits will not be a possibility if your injury did not arise out of your employment.
However, like I mentioned above, you should never think that you are ineligible for compensation altogether if you cannot seek workers’ compensation benefits. I can help you to file an injury claim to seek the compensation you deserve. I’ll Make Them Pay!® Give me a call as soon as possible at 877.614.9524 so that I can assess your case and determine the best path forward for you to obtain financial compensation.
