New Jersey workers who have suffered an injury will need to make sure that their injuries were work-related before seeking workers’ compensation benefits. Interestingly, there are a lot of things considered “work-related” that might not be immediately apparent — like company picnics, company parties and other social events that were sponsored by an employer.

In order for an injury to be considered work-related, it usually cannot have occurred during an employee’s lunch break — unless it happens at a company cafeteria or involved the employer somehow.

If an injury happens as a result of alcohol, it could still qualify a worker for workers’ compensation benefits — especially if the accident or injury happened during a work-related event like a holiday party.

Sometimes workers think that they cannot recover benefits related to a pre-existing condition; however, this is surely not the case. A pre-existing condition could be worsened by a worker performing his or her job duties. If, for example, a back injury is made worse due to repetitive motion during work activities, then the worsened condition could qualify the worker to receive important benefits.

Mental conditions could also qualify a worker for compensation if the mental conditions were contracted as a result of a workers’ job responsibilities. For example, mental issues relating to a high stress work environment, like severe anxiety, might be compensable through workers’ compensation if it can be shown that work was the cause.

New Jersey workers should never forget that they are largely protected by insurance if they suffer an on-the-job injury. Workers’ compensation could be the only means of financial support for an injured worker while he or she is recovering from injuries and receiving medical care.

Source: FindLaw, “I Have a Job-Related Injury: What are My Employer’s Responsibilities?,” accessed July 15, 2016