Question: An employee was tasked with picking up bamboo flooring for a remodeling project of a new office space. The employee picked up the bamboo flooring one evening and decided to take it into their own home overnight so it wouldn't be stolen from their vehicle. The next morning, the employee picked up the bamboo flooring and felt something on the underside of the packaging and a tingling pain in his hand. Upon closer inspection the employee found hundreds of baby scorpion

Question: An employee was standing by machinery when a high pressure tank ruptured making a loud sound. The employee did not have his hearing protection on properly and as a result, suffered from a punctured ear drum. Is it compensable? -Nate B. 3/22/21 ​ Answer: Under Kansas law (Per K.S.A. 44-508), an injury by accident shall be deemed to arise out of employment if: • There is a causal connection between the conditions under which the work is required to be performed and th

Question: While breaking down cardboard boxes using a pocket knife, an employee cuts his arm. The occupational health nurse closes the wound using a product called zip stitch and the employee returns to work. Is it compensable? -Nate B. 1/9/21 ​ Answer: This would most likely be a compensable claim, the injury resulted directly from work. Colorado Worker's Compensation Act of 2018 states "The right to compensation is provided for.... if the following conditions occur: (b) Whe

Question: An employee had a seizure at work. The worker is in his sixties and has never experienced a seizure prior to this. The worker did not suffer any injuries but was given prescription medication. There is no indication that the workplace/environment played any part in his seizure. Is it compensable? Is it compensable? -Nate B. 1/9/21 ​ Answers: Generally speaking, these injuries are not considered compensable, because they don't "arise out of or in the course of empl

Question: An installation tech is installing a chemical fume hood in a lab. He decides to take a break for lunch and walk to the food court. While walking to the on-site food court, he notices a spill, assumes it is water and decides to wipe it up without using any PPE. 12 hours later, at home, the employee is experiencing swelling in his throat and ends up staying 2 days overnight for treatment. Is it compensable?. Is it compensable? -Nate B. 1/9/21 ​ ​ Answer: This injur

Question: Lab workers conducting animal research on livestock decide to cook a turkey in an autoclave while celebrating a birthday of a coworker. Several months later 2 of the employees are diagnosed with prion disease. The employees are prescribed medications. Is it compensable? -Nate B. 2/2/21 ​ Answer: Generally speaking, in Alaska injuries are compensable "... only for those injuries which arise out of and occur during the course and scope of your employment." (source:

Question: An office worker develops tendonitis in his wrist and is provided medical treatment and work restrictions, resulting in a recordable injury. The tendonitis resulted from poor ergonomics. The employee recovered completely from the tendonitis. 10 months later, the same employee sees a doctor, receives surgery and misses several days of work due to tendonitis in his same wrist. Is it compensable? -Nate B. 1/31/21 ​ Answer: The following comes directly from Arkansas Wo

Question: A lineman is climbing a utility pole. The employee cries out suddenly and shortly thereafter goes limp. The employee is rescued from the pole and rushed to the ER where they discover a bullet wound and spends several days in critical condition in the hospital. It is believed that the bullet came from an individual who broke the rules at a nearby shooting range by firing his rifle into the air. Is it compensable? -Nate B. 1/31/21 ​ Answer: YES. (Probably); because th

Question: An office employee asks if she can plant some flowers near the entry way to the company's office, is granted permission, and months later trips and injures her ankle while watering the plants during her morning break. Is it compensable? -Trey W. 1/28/21 ​ Answer: Based on the line "on her break" I would say this is not compensable. Unless tending the flowers was part of her role, watering flowers on her break would not meet the definition of 'arising out of the co