{"id":353593,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:02","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/injury\/workers-compensation\/what-types-of-injuries-are-compensable-under-workers-compensation.html"},"modified":"2026-09-09T11:48:39","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T16:48:39","slug":"what-types-of-injuries-are-compensable-under-workers-compensation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/workers-compensation\/what-types-of-injuries-are-compensable-under-workers-compensation.html","title":{"rendered":"What Injuries Qualify for Workers’ Comp?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Injuries Qualify for Workers' Comp?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Workers’ compensation<\/span> is a state-mandated insurance program that provides medical benefits<\/span>, disability payments, lost wage<\/span> compensation, and death benefits<\/span> to employees who suffer job-related injuries<\/span> or illnesses. This coverage applies to harm caused by specific workplace accidents, repetitive stress injuries<\/span>, occupational diseases<\/span> from toxic exposure, aggravated pre-existing conditions, and certain psychological traumas.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Workers’ compensation covers most job-related injuries and illnesses. This includes harm from a single accident, repetitive motion<\/span> strain over time, or exposure to toxic fumes<\/span>. Coverage may also apply if a job aggravates a pre-existing condition and, in some states, to certain psychological injuries.<\/p>\n

A workplace injury<\/span> does not guarantee eligibility for benefits. While most injuries are covered, exceptions exist. The rules become more complex for injuries that do not result from a single, identifiable incident. If a claim is denied or there is uncertainty about your eligibility, a\u00a0workers’ compensation<\/span> attorney<\/a>\u00a0can review the situation and explain available options.<\/p>\n

Injuries From a Specific Accident<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Most workers’ compensation<\/span> claims<\/a> begin with a single, identifiable event, such as a construction worker falling from a ladder or a warehouse worker getting injured by machinery. It can also be a slip-and-fall<\/span> accident, such as when an office employee breaks an ankle after tripping over a broken office floor. These types of claims are easier to prove because they often have a clear location, date of incident, and cause of injury.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A compensable on-the-job injury<\/span> of this type covers immediate harm as well as any lasting impairment that affects a person’s ability to work. Depending on the severity of the job-related injury<\/span>, disability benefits<\/span> may include vocational rehabilitation<\/span><\/a>, temporary total disability<\/span>, temporary partial disability<\/span>, or permanent partial disability<\/span>. Employers often calculate these benefits based on a percentage of the employee\u2019s average weekly wage<\/span> at the time of injury.<\/p>\n

Work-related accidents can occur outside the physical workplace. Courts and state agencies have recognized several types of injuries as work-related, including the following examples:<\/p>\n