C. State and Local Government Employees

Categories of Injuries Covered by Workers’ Compensation

You may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits for a work-related injury that fits into one of the categories below:

• Pre-existing Conditions – These types of injuries are unrelated injuries that you already had, which are aggravated or exacerbated by your workplace.  One example is a back injury, even if you don’t notice the pain caused by the injury until later.
• Injuries on-the-job – This category includes injuries caused by your company’s facilities (such as a chair in the company break room). Injuries during work time also include those that occur during coffee breaks, on your lunch break, and during work-sponsored activities (for example, a company picnic).
• Exposure to Toxins – This class includes injuries that results from exposure to toxins in chemicals from normal working conditions.  An example of this type of injury is lung cancer, if you can show that it was caused by exposure to those on-the-job toxins.
• Physical and Mental Strain – This category includes physical and mental strain that is a result of increased work duties or work-related stress.  In some states, a disabling mental condition that is a direct result of work demands or constant harassment from a supervisor may also be included in this category.