A somewhat unexpected situation has developed as companies increasingly provide fitness centers on the worksite for their employees. Company owners and managers like to offer this free benefit since it boosts employee morale and it boosts the motivation to exercise. However, Workers Comp Lawyers in Vero Beach FL may have to deal with cases in which an employee is injured at the company gym and wants to file for benefits.
Supporting the Claim
To employers and the insurer that pays out the benefits, this may not seem like a work-related injury. In general, however, courts have sided with the employees. Since the injury happened on the worksite in a company-sponsored activity, Workers Comp Lawyers in Vero Beach FL use those details to support the claim. Insurers who have taken these matters to court typically find that judgments are made in favor of the employees.
Relevant Factors
The cases can be complicated, with a variety of factors to consider. Sometimes, if the individual has been injured in the gym outside of work hours and the employer provided no incentive to exercise, the employee is considered ineligible for benefits. However, attorneys from a firm such as Matheson Horowitz & Devonmille want to know about any possible incentives that could be important.
For example, the employer might provide rewards points for each hour of exercise in the gym. The points could be cashed in at the company cafeteria or might be good for a gift card to a local business. This may be enough to convince a judge to rule in favor of the employee, since the employer is strongly encouraging use of the gym. If the employer requires a certain amount of exercising during work hours, insurance companies will have a difficult time disputing a workers compensation claim.
Avoiding Personal Injury Suits
The idea that the employer and its insurer is responsible in situations like these is somewhat similar to other cases involving activity at the workplace that is not directly job-related. For instance, slipping and falling on a wet floor in the lunchroom can result in a workers comp claim. This is advantageous for both sides of the issue, as neither have to deal with a personal injury suit.
