What Happens if You Are Injured While Performing Duties Outside Your Job Description?

Workplace injuries can happen under various circumstances, sometimes when employees perform tasks outside their usual job duties. You may be asked to step in for a coworker, handle an unexpected task, or assist in an emergency, even though the activity may not be part of your regular job responsibilities.

This can raise concerns about whether workers’ compensation benefits are still available if they are injured while performing tasks outside their job description.

In North Carolina, workers’ compensation laws are designed to cover work-related injuries regardless of whether the task you performed was part of your regular job duties. However, certain factors can influence your eligibility for compensation. Here, our Charlotte workers’ compensation attorneys at the Ramsay Law Firm, P.A., explore what happens when you are injured while performing duties outside your job description, your rights as an employee, and how workers’ compensation applies in these situations.

Are You Eligible for Workers’ Compensation?

In general, North Carolina workers’ compensation law covers injuries that occur within the scope of employment. This means that as long as you perform a task related to your job, you are likely entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if you get hurt, even if that task isn’t part of your typical duties. The critical factor is whether the task was done on your employer’s behalf and for the company’s benefit.

Here are a few scenarios where workers’ compensation may apply, even if you are performing tasks outside your regular job description:

• Volunteering for Extra Tasks

You are generally still eligible for workers’ compensation if you volunteer to take on additional responsibilities or fill in for a coworker and are injured. For example, workers’ compensation should cover your injury if you usually work in an office but help out in a warehouse for the day and are injured while moving boxes. Even though warehouse work isn’t your regular job, you acted at the request or for your employer’s benefit.

• Responding to Emergencies

Sometimes, employees may be asked to perform tasks outside their job description during an emergency. For example, you might be asked to help contain a spill, assist an injured coworker, or handle a task typically performed by another department. If you are injured while responding to an emergency or performing unexpected duties in a crisis, workers’ compensation will likely cover your injuries since you were acting in the company’s best interest.

• Temporary or Occasional Duties

In many workplaces, employees are occasionally asked to step outside their regular roles to handle various tasks. Workers’ compensation should still apply if you are injured while performing these temporary or occasional duties, such as cleaning equipment, assisting customers, or attending a work event. The key is that these tasks are still connected to your overall employment, even if they fall outside your job description.

Potential Challenges with Workers’ Compensation Claims

While workers’ compensation generally covers injuries sustained during job-related activities, employees may face a few potential challenges when filing a claim for an injury outside their typical duties.

They include, but are not limited to:

• Employer Disputes

Your employer or insurance company may argue that the task you were performing was outside the scope of your employment and, therefore, you are not eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. For example, if the employer claims you were doing something unrelated to your job or acting without permission, they may try to deny your claim. It’s crucial to gather evidence, such as witness statements, to prove that the task was reasonably connected to your employment.

• Misclassification

Sometimes, employers may classify certain workers as independent contractors rather than employees, affecting their eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits. If you were injured while performing a task outside your usual responsibilities and your employer disputes your status as an employee, you may need legal assistance to clarify your employment classification and secure the benefits you deserve.

• Deviations from Work

Your claim could be challenged if your injury occurred while performing a personal task or deviating from your work responsibilities. For example, suppose you were detoured from work-related duties for personal reasons and injured. In that case, the insurance company might argue that you weren’t acting within the scope of your employment at the time of the injury. In such cases, the circumstances of the injury will be carefully reviewed to determine whether workers’ compensation applies.

What to Do if You’re Injured While Performing Duties Outside Your Job Description

If you are injured while performing tasks outside your usual job description, it’s essential to take the following steps to protect your rights and ensure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to:

• Report the Injury Immediately: Notify your employer as soon as the injury occurs, regardless of whether the task was part of your regular duties. Make sure to document the incident and include details about what you were doing when the injury occurred.

• Seek Medical Attention: Obtain prompt medical care for your injury and ensure the healthcare provider notes the cause of the injury in your medical records. These records will be essential when filing your workers’ compensation claim.
• Clarify Your Role: When reporting the injury, clearly explain why you performed the task that led to your injury. Whether you were helping a coworker, filling in for someone, or responding to an emergency, providing context can help establish that the task was connected to your employment.
• Consult with Our Workers’ Compensation Attorney: If your claim is denied or disputed by your employer or the insurance company, it’s essential to consult with our North Carolina workers’ compensation attorneys to help you gather evidence, file an appeal, and advocate for your right to benefits.

Have You Been Injured at Work in North Carolina?

Our dedicated Mecklenburg County workers’ compensation law firm provides free consultations to all employees who have suffered a workplace injury in North Carolina. Call 704-376-1616 or contact us online.

A Voice For The Injured.  Here Every Step of The Way.

Related Links:

• Are Remote Workers Eligible for Workers’ Compensation Benefits in North Carolina?
• Can I Quit My Job If I Have a Workers’ Comp Case in North Carolina?
• How Long Does it Take for North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Benefits to Begin After an Injury Occurs?
• The Demands of Landscaping Work Can Lead to Catastrophic Injuries
• What Can I Do If My North Carolina Employer is Interfering With My Workers’ Compensation Claim?