5 Things Workers’ Compensation Generally Doesn’t Cover in Missouri

James M. Hoffmann
2 min readApr 23, 2021

Workers’ compensation is a system designed to protect employers if they get injured in the scope of their work. However, many people tend to confuse workers’ comp coverage with personal injury cases. Also, there are common misconceptions about what scenarios are covered by workers’ comp.

In this article, we will discuss some of the things that workers’ compensation generally does not cover. However, it is important to always consult with an experienced attorney who can evaluate the details of your claim and help you understand what you are legally entitled to.

Injuries During Commuting

Injuries that you suffer when commuting to or from work will generally not be covered by workers’ comp insurance. However, there are exceptions if you can prove that you were off-site and got injured while doing something for your employer.

Injuries Suffered While at a Recreational Event

If your company organizes a social event, such as a dance party, barbecue, sports event, and so on, and you get injured while you’re there, workers’ comp generally won’t cover your injuries, as they are not related to your actual job.

Any Injury You Suffer While Intoxicated

With a few exceptions, if you are proven to be under the influence of alcohol or other substances when injured, you will generally lose the right to receive workers’ compensation.

Most Injuries You Suffer When Fighting with Someone

In the case of horseplay, pranks, or fighting between co-workers or with customers, your claim will likely be denied. Keep in mind, though, that if you can prove that the incident was related to work or that you were just a bystander, you may be entitled to workers compensation benefits.

Injuries You Suffer When Working from Home

With more and more people working from home in the new socio-economic circumstances the world is experiencing, injuries can easily happen while you are at home, during your working hours. Although it’s generally difficult to provide evidence in such cases, often due to lack of witnesses, this should be discussed with an experienced attorney to see if your specific circumstances qualify you for workers compensation.

How a Lawyer Can Help with Your Workers Comp Case

While these 5 situations generally will not qualify you for workers compensation benefits, it is important to remember that each case is unique and should be discussed with an experienced workers compensation lawyer to ensure you are not missing out on benefits you are entitled to.

Before making an decisions, get in touch with an experienced attorney for a free consultation.

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James M. Hoffmann

Workers Compensation Attorney $50M+ Actual case results. No Quotas. James handles your case!