Colin McWhirter, Public Attorney - Workers Compensation Claims

• Compensation may be awarded for claims related to any physical injury on the job, which can include exposure to dust, toxins, hearing loss caused by workplace and repetitive motion injury (such as carpal tunnel), preexisting conditions that the workplace accelerates or aggravates, Injuries caused during breaks, lunch hours, and work-sponsored activities (such as a company picnic), and at-work injuries caused by company facilities, such as a chair in the company lunchroom, Injuries resulting from mental and physical strain brought on by increased work duties or work-related stress or mental distress, and diseases contracted by exposure to toxins at work as a result of normal working conditions.

• Compensation may not be available for claims related to self-inflicted injuries (including those caused by a person who starts a fight), injuries suffered while a worker was committing a serious crime, injuries suffered while an employee was not on the job, injuries suffered when an employee's conduct violated company policy, and injuries suffered when an employee was intoxicated.