The majority of workplace injuries are the result of accident or negligence, but a small percentage of injuries are intentional in nature. As we’ve talked about on the blog in the past, you are ineligible for workers’ compensation if you intentionally injure yourself on the job, but if you are intentionally injured by a coworker or customer, you are typically eligible for benefits. We say “typically” because the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals recently ruled that an employee was ineligible for benefits after being intentionally attacked on the job. In today’s blog, we talk more about that case and how you can get compensation if you are assaulted at work.
Workers’ Compensation After An Assault
The law in Minnesota is pretty straightforward when it comes to getting compensation for an assault that occurs at work. If you are intentionally assaulted by another person while performing your work duties, you are eligible for compensation so long as the reason for the assault arose from your employment. For example, if a customer assaults you for taking too long to deliver their pizza, or you are attacked when providing care to a hospitalized patient who is suffering from a mental health condition, you would be eligible for compensation. Similarly, if you are assaulted by a coworker because you got the promotion over them, you could file for workers’ compensation.
It may sound rare, but assault injuries are unfortunately becoming more common in the workplace. If you are intentionally injured by another party on the job, you need to collect the workers’ compensation benefits that you are eligible to receive.
Non-Workplace Related Assaults
As we mentioned in the introduction, the Minnesota WCCA recently ruled that an employee who was attacked on the job was not eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. In that instance, the hotel employee was cleaning a room when he was attacked by an individual who incorrectly believed that the employee killed his uncle. The hotel worker suffered serious injuries and eventually filed for workers’ compensation benefits.
The worker’s original claim was denied because it was determined that the individual was attacked solely for personal reasons. Even though the employee was on the clock, his employment or work duties had no bearing on the assault, and therefore it was determined that he was ineligible for workers’ compensation.
The man appealed to the WCCA, arguing that because his attacker had been previously diagnosed with symptomatic schizoaffective disorder, his attacker could not have had the competence to attack him for solely personal reasons. In the end, the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals upheld the original ruling, stating that an employer is not liable for compensation when an employee is attacked for personal reasons. They pointed to Minnesota’s Workers’ Compensation Act, Minn. Stat. 176.021, which states:
“An employer is liable for compensation…in every case of personal injury or death of an employee arising out of and in the course of employment without regard to the question of negligence.” However, if the “injury caused by the act of a third person or fellow employee intended to injure the employee because of personal reasons, and not directed against the employee as an employee, because of the employment,” the individual would be ineligible for workers’ compensation.
So while the employee would likely have significant recourse through a personal injury claim, he was ineligible for workers’ compensation because the attack had nothing to do with his employment or his job duties. It’s certainly a rare case, but it’s worth knowing your options in the event you are ever assaulted while you’re on the job.
For more information about intentional injuries and your right to workers’ compensation or a personal injury claim, reach out to the team at Hey Workers today at (844) 439-9675.
