Does Workers Compensation Cover Injuries Caused Between Employees?

Accidents happen all the time in the workplace. Slips, falls, sprains and strains are an expected part of physical jobs especially, which is why employers offer workers compensation to cover any injuries their employees may obtain while working. But what if injuries are caused by another employee? What if coworkers get into a fight?

In short, yes and no. There are certain circumstances in which a workers compensation claim will not be accepted when it comes to fights between coworkers. If an injured employee tries to file a workers compensation claim and they are the one who instigated the fight, their claim is likely to be denied.

Workers compensation is primarily designed to cover accidents and unintentional injuries. Injuries a worker may obtain from another coworker or even a customer may be covered only if the injured employee was not the instigator in the fight.

What Will Workers Compensation Cover After a Fight?

If a workers compensation claim is approved, an injured employee should have the ability to receive all of the applicable benefits as specified on their employer’s policy. This generally includes:

Wage replacement
Disability benefits
Medical expenses (related to the injury)

In the unfortunate case where an employee is killed either by another employee or a customer, the family may receive benefits from the employer’s workers compensation policy, called “death benefits.” This is usually a lump sum to cover expenses related to the death such as funeral and burial costs.

Avoiding Fights in the Workplace

As an employer, you want all of your employees to get along so you can maintain a friendly and motivational atmosphere. Not everyone will get along, however. It’s inevitable, especially in big businesses, that some personalities will clash. Thankfully, there are measures you can take to avoid fights.

Introduce team building and trust exercises
Keep clashing personalities on shifting schedules to avoid confrontation

Train all employees and managers in de-escalation
Provide mental health services or counselling
Distance employees from customers they clash with, if possible

Every employee wants to feel safe and heard in their workplace. Be sure to maintain an open atmosphere for concerned employees to voice their opinions so their emotions don’t build up and inevitably boil over. And just in case, make sure your workers compensation insurance has the proper limits and coverage in case a fight breaks out between employees or an employee and a customer.

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