When it comes to certain types of jobs, you may be on the road more than you are "in plant", but there are numerous job that require travel at least every once in a while. When your trip goes wrong and you get injured or become ill while away on business, can you still count on your employer's workers' comp coverage? Read on to learn more information about how this issue is treated.

The extent of the coverage

If you are traveling for business for your company, you are covered for the entire trip. From the moment you step out of your door until you return or your work trip ends, you can expect workers' comp to cover your medical expenses and pay for part of your salary while you stay home and recuperate if you get hurt. If you come down with salmonella poisoning while eating lunch during a work conference, you are covered. If your Uber driver gets in a wreck on the way to the airport, you are covered. If the worst happens and your injury turns out to a permanent one, you may be entitled to a lump sum settlement.

Where the coverage ends

It's not uncommon for an employee to add a few day onto the end of a business trip for a little "r & r", particularly if the trip is at a desirable destination. Unfortunately, your leisure time activities that occur after the end of the official business trip (or before it) are not covered under workers' comp. This means that if your trip was scheduled to end on Friday, but you stayed for the weekend, your coverage would end on Friday. If you were injured or became ill on Saturday or Sunday, it would not be covered under workers' comp and you would need to use your own funds to pay any medical bills. In some cases, your injuries involving non-work related activities during the business trip will also not be covered.

Getting compensated

Take the following steps to ensure that your claim is approved:

1. Seek immediate medical attention, if you fail to do so it could make it appear that you are not injured badly enough to warrant a claim and benefits. Follow your doctor's orders and keep all appointments.

2. Let your supervisor know about the injury or illness as soon as possible. In most cases, they are responsible for filing a claim, but you should follow up to ensure that a claim is filed.

3. If your claim has been denied or it seems you are having any other problems, speak to a workers' attorney at once.