Injured While Traveling for Work — Are You Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
If you were injured while traveling for your job — whether driving to a meeting, flying to a conference, or staying overnight for a client visit — you may be wondering:
“Am I covered by workers’ compensation?”
The answer is often yes, but it depends on why you were traveling, what you were doing at the time of the injury, and state-specific rules. Below is a breakdown of when work-related travel injuries are typically covered, and when they might not be.
General Rule: Injuries Must Arise “Out of and In the Course of Employment”
Workers’ compensation laws usually cover injuries that occur while performing duties related to your job. This includes travel, as long as the travel itself is work-related.
Examples of covered situations:
- Driving to or from a client’s office
- Flying to attend a work conference
- Being injured in a hotel during a business trip
- Delivering goods or visiting job sites
- Traveling between job sites during your shift
If the travel was part of your job — not just your normal commute — there’s a strong chance you’re covered.
What’s NOT Covered: The “Coming and Going” Rule
Most states follow a rule known as the “coming and going” rule, which means injuries that happen during your regular commute to and from work are not covered.
Example:
If you’re in a car accident while driving from your home to the office, that’s typically not considered work-related under workers’ comp laws.
However, if you were running a work errand on your way in — like picking up supplies for the office — the situation could become covered.
What If I Was Off the Clock at the Time?
If you’re traveling for work and get injured during “off hours,” you might still be covered depending on what you were doing.
Examples:
- Slipping in a hotel bathroom during a business trip — likely covered
- Injured while walking to a restaurant near your hotel — may be covered if it’s reasonable and expected during work travel
- Going skydiving during a conference break — probably not covered
Courts and insurance carriers often look at whether the activity was incidental to work, reasonable, and within the scope of the job-related travel.
Special Cases: Driving Jobs, Remote Workers, and On-Call Employees
- Truck drivers, delivery drivers, and sales reps who travel as a regular part of their job are often covered almost continuously while on duty.
- Remote employees injured while traveling to a required in-person event may also be covered.
- On-call workers may be covered even when not officially “on the clock,” depending on the nature of their job.
What To Do If You’re Injured While Traveling
- Report the injury immediately to your employer — even if it happened out of town.
- Get medical treatment, and make sure the doctor documents that the injury occurred during work travel.
- File a workers’ compensation claim promptly to avoid delays or denials.
- Consult a workers’ comp attorney if your employer or insurance company denies your claim based on where or how the injury occurred.
Bottom Line
If you were injured while traveling for work, you may absolutely be entitled to workers’ compensation — but proving it was work-related is key. Don’t assume your claim will be denied just because the injury happened away from your usual workplace.
Have questions about a travel-related work injury?
Contact our office for a free consultation. We’ll review your situation and help you understand your rights.
Need legal help? In California, navigating legal challenges, whether they involve personal injury, workers’ compensation, criminal defense or civil litigation, can be overwhelming. Khoury Law Group is here to provide the critical legal support you need. As a leading advocate for individuals facing legal battles, our experienced attorneys understand the complexities of the legal system and are committed to fighting for your best interests. With personalized legal strategies and compassionate support, we are dedicated to achieving the justice and compensation you deserve.
CONTACT US FOR HELP. Call us at (888) 354-6879 or fill out the form on our Contact page.
