Workers’ compensation is an important part of the California legal process. It provides a method for workers who are injured during the course and scope of their employment to receive payment for medical costs and replacement wages. One of the features of the workers’ compensation system that provides protection to both employees and employers is the fact that the California workers’ compensation is “no-fault.” This means that neither the employer nor the employee has to prove that the other is at fault for the injury before the employee is eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits. An important exception to this, however, is where the injury is received after intentional conduct from the employee.
One of the most common examples to this is when an employee has intentionally injured him or herself on the job in an effort to get workers’ compensation benefits. This can be classified as fraud and is one of the reasons it is important to properly document and investigate every workplace injury. For example, if your employee was injured in a purported slip and fall incident, but you have video evidence that he or she intentionally fell to the ground, it is possible that this will render him or her ineligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
Another way that intentional conduct can render your employee ineligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits is if your employee was involved in a fight. If your employee engaged in an illegal act, such as assault, this will render him or her ineligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits for any injuries sustained during the fight. It is important to note, however, that if the employee was not the aggressor, he or she may still be able to collect workers’ compensation benefits.
Workers’ compensation benefits also come into play if an employee is injured in a car accident during the course and scope of his or her employment. During the discussion with the car insurance company, the issue of fault will be relevant. However, in the context of workers’ compensation, the fault of the employee is irrelevant. If, however, you could prove that the employee intentionally wrecked the company vehicle, that would mean that he or she will not be eligible for workers’ compensation.
We have experience with helping clients understand their rights and responsibilities with regard to intentional conduct and workers’ compensation. Call us today for a consultation.