Most New Jersey employees who are injured on the job are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, injuries that are incurred while commuting to and from work are usually not covered. This is called the going and coming rule, but there are exceptions that may allow a worker to claim benefits while on the road.
One exception is related to when an employee is driving a company car to work. In some cases, it may be possible to argue that any vehicle adorned with a corporate logo or other information is always being used for employment purposes. If driving is among a worker’s major job duties, it may be possible for that worker to be compensated while on the road. For instance, a truck driver is generally covered assuming an injury occurred while performing a job duty.
Those who are on the road for a commercial purpose are generally covered for the duration of their trip. This means that someone on the road for a business meeting is generally covered even if an accident or injuries occur before or after the meeting takes place. A person who is sent on a special mission by an employer is covered even if it is not related to typical work responsibilities, such as picking up laundry for a boss.
Workers’ compensation benefits can include the provision of medical care and treatment and in some cases a percentage of lost wages for periods when the injured victim is unable to return to work. The assistance of an attorney can be advisable in preparing the claim and in linking the injury to a job-related activity.