In most cases, injuries that happen during recreational or social work events—like company picnics, parties, or sports games—are not automatically covered by workers’ compensation. However, like many areas of the law, there are important exceptions.
One key factor is whether attendance or participation was truly voluntary. If your role at the company or the culture of the workplace made attendance effectively mandatory, you could still be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.
For example, in a South Carolina case, a worker who organized and attended a company kickball game was initially denied benefits after a serious injury. But the state’s Supreme Court later ruled in his favor because his job duties and position made participation essentially required.
Key Takeaways
- If your employer expects or requires attendance, injuries may be compensable.
- If the event is truly voluntary and purely recreational, coverage is less likely.
- Every case is unique—and often requires legal guidance.
At Kaplan Morrell, we’ve helped thousands of injured workers navigate these gray areas. If you’ve been hurt at a company event and aren’t sure where you stand, contact us for a free consultation at 303-780-7329.
