What defenses can employers use against a workers' compensation claim?

In the context of workers' compensation claims, an employer may assert various defenses to challenge a claim. One valid defense is that the employee was not injured at work. For a workers' compensation claim to be upheld, it must be established that the injury occurred in the course of employment. If evidence suggests that the injury happened outside of work duties or hours—like during personal time or off the employer's premises—the employer may deny liability for the claim.

While points about breaks and uniform status may raise questions regarding the context of the injury, they are generally less definitive as defenses compared to the assertion that the injury did not occur during work-related activities. A break can still be within the scope of employment under certain conditions, and being in uniform is not typically a requirement for coverage. Thus, emphasizing that an employee was not injured at work is a straightforward and strong basis for disputing a claim in the realm of workers' compensation practices.