Okay, I'll admit it. I'm a fan of The Office, and today we're diving into some scenes that involve injuries which could result in workers' compensation claims. Michael Scott and his team have zero regard for safety protocols, so there are plenty of incidents to choose from. But be forewarned: some of the clips you're about to see might be gross and shocking for some viewers.
What happens if your boss runs you over with their car in the company parking lot? Here in New York State, workers' compensation would cover this because, under the law, you're entitled to what's known as safe ingress and egress. That means if you get injured on company premises while heading to or from work, you can receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, or permanent disability.
Now, we know Michael Scott is oblivious and likely didn't do this on purpose, but if he did, this would be one of the few circumstances where you could actually sue your boss in addition to claiming benefits. Why? Because an injury that is intentionally inflicted falls outside the scope of the workers' compensation law.
Poor Stanley! In this particular instance, it's obvious that the acute stress caused by Michael's antics led to Stanley's heart attack. If Stanley's doctor believes within a reasonable degree of medical certainty that the stress at work caused his heart attack, he could pursue a claim for benefits.
But what if he had a heart attack on a normal day when Dwight wasn't intentionally setting the building on fire? In that case, it wouldn't necessarily be covered under workers' comp. To get workers' compensation for a heart attack under normal circumstances, Stanley would need to show a direct link between the day-to-day stress of his working conditions and the heart attack. It’s a tough case, requiring very good medical evidence and an even better lawyer.
Remember when Meredith had to get a rabies shot after being bitten by a bat? Getting attacked by animals on the job is more common than you'd think. Professions at high risk include veterinarians, delivery people, home health aides, trash collectors, and recycling personnel. Dog bites are the most common animal attack cases, and depending on the facts, you might also be entitled to sue the owner of the dog.
Whatever the animal, if you get attacked while working, workers' comp will likely cover your medical treatment, a rabies shot, and any lost time. You can also get benefits for any permanent disability.
Dwight wasn’t ordered to leave work and get Michael, but he volunteered when Michael asked, so technically, this injury happened while performing work duties, meaning he’s covered.
The first thing you should do after suffering a traumatic injury on the job is to immediately go to the closest hospital. Your hospital bills will be covered, so don’t worry about which hospital you go to—just get taken care of. However, you only have 30 days after the incident to formally notify your employer of the accident, preferably in writing. Otherwise, you run the risk of having your workers' comp claim denied.
Now, here's one of my favorites! This scene is a great example I use when discussing injuries suffered during work-sponsored events. Michael took the gang on a field trip to develop camaraderie. If someone got injured during the sumo competition or fire walking, they could file for benefits. We often see injuries at work events like volleyball games, office picnics, and other work-sponsored activities.
However, getting marooned on a desert island might be a bit more complicated—that's Gilligan's jurisdiction!
Like I said, there are a lot more injuries in The Office where these came from. If you enjoyed this analysis and are in the New York area, give me a call for a free consultation to discuss your claim. You can reach me at 212-406-8989. For more tips and insights on filing for workers' compensation benefits, subscribe to my channel and turn on notifications. We're your one-stop shop for everything you need to know to successfully file and maximize your claim.
So click here to watch the next video, and I'll see you there!
