{"id":46829,"date":"2018-05-15T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-05-15T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/skolnicklaw.com\/blog\/2018\/05\/understanding-the-coming-and-going-rule\/"},"modified":"2025-01-26T06:13:29","modified_gmt":"2025-01-26T11:13:29","slug":"understanding-the-coming-and-going-rule","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/skolnicklaw.com\/understanding-the-coming-and-going-rule\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding the coming-and-going rule"},"content":{"rendered":"

As you know, workers\u2019 compensation benefits can compensate you for lost wages, medical expenses and other losses pertaining to an injury or illness that occurred on the job, but what if you suffered an injury\u00a0away from work or after hours while performing duties that were job-related? Ohio workers should understand how workers\u2019 compensation<\/a> applies to off-the-clock accidents, as well as the coming-and-going rule.<\/p>\n

For example, let\u2019s say you tripped in the parking lot on your way in to work, twisting your ankle. While painful, you decide you can work through the day and will see a doctor later. After work, your boss asks you to mail a package, since the post office is nearby. On your way to mail the parcel, someone rear-ends you, giving you whiplash.<\/p>\n

While both injuries were sustained occurred while off the clock and away from your work premises, they may still qualify for workers\u2019 compensation. FindLaw explains\u00a0that the first injury falls under the coming-and-going rule<\/a>. While you were not performing a job-related task when you were not clocked in, you sustained the injury on work premises while walking into the building. Workers\u2019 compensation would not apply if you were driving to or from work or had an accident\u00a0on your lunch break, unless the lunch date was specifically job-related, such as meeting a business partner. Although you were driving home, the after-hours fender bender qualifies for workers\u2019 compensation because you were performing a task your boss asked you to do.<\/p>\n

After-hours workers\u2019 compensation may also apply in the following situations:<\/p>\n