You probably already know that workers’ compensation covers injuries that happen on the job. But what counts as “on the job” isn’t always as obvious as it sounds.
For example, what if you slipped in the parking lot on your lunch break? Or got hurt while running an errand for your boss? What if you aggravated an old injury while lifting something heavy at work?
These kinds of gray areas come up all the time and they can make it hard to know whether you’re covered.
So, what is considered a work-related injury? Understanding how Florida law defines this term is the first step to knowing whether you’re entitled to benefits.
What Is Considered a Work-Related Injury?
Under Florida law, an injury (or illness) may qualify as work-related if it “arises out of and in the course of employment.”
“Arising out of employment” means the injury is caused (or at least significantly contributed to) by your job—the tasks you do, the environment you work in, or exposures that come with your work duties.
“In the course of employment” means it happened while you were performing job duties or in a work environment that your employer controls or acknowledges.
However, it’s not enough just to be on the job—your job must be the major contributing cause of your injury (more than 50 % responsible).
This is similar to how the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) approaches the concept. OSHA looks at whether an event or exposure in the work environment contributed to the resulting injury or illness—an idea that helps explain why some cases are clear-cut while others fall into a gray area.
Determining whether an injury is “work-related” is fundamental for a workers’ compensation claim. Without that connection to your employment (both the “arising out of” and “in the course of”), your employer’s insurance carrier may deny benefits.
Injured at Work In Florida?
Examples of Work-Related Injuries
In most cases, an injury or illness is considered work-related if it happens while you’re doing your job duties or something connected to your work environment.
Here are some common examples:
- Accidents on the job site. Slipping on a wet floor, getting caught in machinery, or being struck by a falling object are classic examples of workplace accidents.
- Repetitive-motion injuries. Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis often develop slowly over time but are still covered if they result from your work activities.
- Injuries from work travel. If you’re hurt while traveling between job sites, making deliveries, or running a work-related errand, you’re typically still within the scope of employment.
- Aggravation of a pre-existing injury. If a prior condition is made worse by an event or exposure at work, that aggravation can be compensable.
In short, if an employee is injured as a direct result of their job duties or an event or exposure in the work environment, they’re usually eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
Examples of Non–Work-Related Injuries
Just as important as knowing what’s covered is understanding what isn’t. Not every accident or illness that happens near work—or even at work—meets the definition of a work-related injury.
Here are some situations that generally don’t qualify for workers’ compensation:
- Injuries during your commute. Getting into an accident while driving to or from work is usually not considered work-related, unless you were performing a specific work errand or traveling between job sites.
- Accidents during personal activities. If you’re hurt while eating lunch off-site, running personal errands, or attending a social event unrelated to work, that injury typically falls outside your job duties.
- Voluntary company events. Recreational activities like bowling nights, charity runs, or holiday parties are generally not covered unless attendance was required or the event occurred during work hours on company property.
- Injuries as a customer or visitor. If you stop by your workplace on a day off and get hurt while there as a member of the general public—not as an employee performing your duties—that would not be a compensable workplace event.
- Illnesses unrelated to your job. When an illness involves personal health factors—like catching a seasonal cold or developing a condition unrelated to your work environment—it isn’t considered occupational.
- Injuries caused by misconduct. Intentional self-harm, fighting, or being intoxicated on the job removes the connection between your injury and your employment, making it ineligible for benefits.
If your injury doesn’t clearly fit one category or the other, don’t assume it’s not covered. The details matter, and sometimes a small difference in facts—like where you were or what you were doing—can change everything.
Common Questions About Work-Related Injuries
Even when you understand the basics of what’s covered under Florida’s workers’ compensation laws, it’s normal to still have questions. Every situation is a little different, and small details can change whether an injury is considered work-related under the law.
Here are some of the most common questions workers ask, including a few that fall into those “gray area” situations.
What if the injury was my fault?
Florida’s system is no-fault, which means that neither you nor your employer need to prove anybody was in the wrong. Even if your own mistake caused the accident, you can still qualify for benefits—unless you intentionally hurt yourself or started a fight.
What if I ignored a safety rule?
If you knowingly broke a safety rule or refused to use protective equipment, you can still get medical treatment, but your wage replacement may be reduced by 25% (FL Statute 440.09 [5]).
However, if you were intoxicated or using illegal drugs when you got hurt, you likely won’t be eligible for benefits.
What if I was injured on a break?
Injuries that happen on your break may still count as work-related if they occur on company property (for example, slipping in the breakroom or tripping in the parking lot). If you leave the property for lunch, though, the connection to work is broken unless you were running a work errand at the time.
What if I was hurt before or after my shift?
If you’re still on your employer’s property—like walking to your car after clocking out—your injury may still be covered. But once you’ve left the premises or started personal activities, it’s generally not compensable.
What if I was injured as a customer or visitor?
If you come to your workplace on a day off as a customer or guest, you’re not acting as an employee. Any injury that happens in that situation wouldn’t be considered a work-related accident.
What if the injury happened at a company event?
It depends on the event. Injuries at mandatory meetings, team-building sessions, or training activities are often covered. Injuries at purely social, voluntary events—like a holiday party or company softball game—usually are not.
What if I was injured on my commute?
In most cases, injuries that happen while driving to or from work aren’t covered by workers’ compensation. That’s because your regular commute isn’t considered part of your job duties.
However, there are exceptions. If you were called in for an emergency, sent on a special errand for your employer, or traveling between job sites, your commute may be considered work-related.
What if I was injured while traveling for work?
You’re covered while traveling for work, such as between job sites or to a client meeting. If you’re on a personal errand or sightseeing while on a business trip, that part of your travel generally isn’t covered.
What if my job aggravated an old injury?
If a workplace event or exposure made a pre-existing condition worse, it can still qualify as a work-related injury, as long as your work was more than 50% responsible for the need for treatment
A licensed health care professional will need to confirm that connection.
What if my injury is psychological or emotional?
Under Florida law, mental or emotional conditions alone don’t qualify for benefits. But if your injury or illness results from a physical injury (such as depression after a serious accident) it may be covered
Special rules also apply to first responders who develop PTSD directly from their work duties.
What if I was doing something “off the clock” that benefited my employer?
Sometimes workers get hurt while doing something helpful but unofficial, like running to the printer to get a report or running a quick errand on the way home. If the activity benefited your employer and was related to your job duties, there’s an argument it could still be considered work-related. These cases are very fact-specific.
When in doubt, ask for help.
If you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies as a work-related injury, don’t guess. A quick conversation with a workers’ compensation attorney can save you time, stress, and missed benefits.
At The Law Office of Brian D. Tadros, we focus exclusively on Florida workers’ compensation cases. Schedule a free consultation today to get clear answers about your rights and next steps.
Clearing Up the Confusion
Understanding what is considered a work-related injury is one of the most important parts of any workers’ compensation claim. But as you’ve seen, the answer isn’t always clear. Two workers can have similar accidents and end up with very different outcomes depending on the details.
You don’t have to figure it out alone. A knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney can help you determine the work relatedness of your injuries, gather the right medical documentation, and make sure your rights are protected from the start.
At The Law Office of Brian D. Tadros, we’ve helped countless Florida workers navigate these exact questions. Whether your situation seems straightforward or falls into one of those gray areas, we’re here to make the process easier to understand and easier to manage.
If you’re uncertain about your claim, schedule a free consultation today. Let’s talk through your situation and make sure you get the benefits you deserve.
