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Are Self-Inflicted Injuries Covered Under Workers’ Compensation?

  • Published: November 10, 2022

When you work in a physically demanding environment and are tasked with performing repetitive tasks, it’s only a matter of time before you experience some kind of strain or injury. A common question from workers is whether they are covered under their workers’ compensation policy if they hurt themselves while on the job. A self-inflicted injury is typically defined as one in which you purposely hurt yourself. In this case, self-inflicted injuries are typically not covered by workers’ compensation insurance policies because these events usually arise from a premeditated intention to cause harm. 

However, there are some situations where self-inflicted injuries are covered by your policy. For example, you may be covered as long as the event was not intentional and an outlier compared to your typical performance. If you’re unsure as to whether or not your injury qualifies for benefits, KCNS Law Group can help. We’re standing by to assist with any confusion you may have about your workers’ compensation case. 

What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?

Workers’ compensation is given to workers who are injured on the job. Employers are required to provide workers’ comp coverage for work-related injuries, and this coverage typically includes medical expenses. Workers may also be entitled to receive benefits for lost wages if they are unable to work due to their injury.

Types of Work at High Risk for Self-Inflicted Injury

Self-inflicted injuries, while typically considered intentional, can also be considered unintentional by some definitions. If a worker is injured on the job and it is determined that the injury was intentional, the burden of proof is on the worker to show that the injury was not self-inflicted. On the other hand, even if it was intentional, certain claims may be made that your job led you to have mental health struggles that could have caused the self-inflicted injury. In most cases, however, many self-inflicted injuries are not covered under workers’ compensation. 

What Injuries Are Not Covered by Workers’ Compensation?

There are certain types of injuries that are not covered by workers’ comp. In most cases, these include intentional self-inflicted injuries, injuries that occur as a result of violating company policy, and injuries that occur outside of work. If an injury occurs as a result of any of these instances, the injured person may not be able to receive compensation from their employer.

If the Injury Was Not Premeditated or Intentional…

If you injure yourself at work but it was not premeditated or intentional, you may still be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits. The injury must have been caused by the injured worker, and the injury must have occurred while the worker was performing their job duties. If the injury was self-inflicted, the injured worker may still be eligible to receive workers’ comp benefits.

If the Injury Was Due to a Mistake or General Negligence…

If your self-inflicted injuries were due to a mistake or general negligence, you may be able to receive compensation through the workers’ compensation system. You should contact a team of lawyers to see if you are eligible for benefits. However, if your injury occurred due to your own negligence, knowing if your claim will be covered or not is up to each state’s set of workers’ compensation codes.

Contact a Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today

Self-inflicted injuries may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. If you have been injured at work and are considering filing a claim, the best course of action is to seek legal representation. An attorney, like those at KCNS Law Group, can help ensure that you receive all of the benefits to which you are entitled. 

You should contact our Glendale personal injury lawyers immediately if you were injured on the job and are unsure whether or not you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. We can help you get the benefits you may be entitled to. Contact us online or call us at (818) 937-9255 today.

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