Getting hurt at work is stressful enough — but what happens when the injury doesn’t occur at your desk, on the factory floor, or in the company truck? What if you slip and fall at the company holiday party, twist your ankle at a mandatory team-building retreat, or suffer a repetitive-stress flare-up during a required off-site training conference?
Many California employees are surprised to learn that injuries suffered during work-related events — even “fun” ones — are often covered by workers’ compensation. At Laguna Law Firm, we’ve helped hundreds of injured workers in Orange County and throughout Southern California recover the benefits they deserve after accidents at company picnics, trade shows, client dinners, charity runs, and holiday parties.
If you’ve been injured during a work-sponsored event, this comprehensive guide explains your rights, the steps you must take immediately, and how an experienced California workers’ compensation attorney can protect you from common insurance traps.
Are Injuries at Company Events Really Covered by Workers’ Comp in California?
In most cases — yes.
California Labor Code § 3600 holds employers liable for injuries that “arise out of and in the course of employment” (often abbreviated AOE/COE). Courts and the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) have consistently ruled that many off-site work events fall under this definition if:
- Attendance was mandatory or strongly encouraged by management
- The event was paid for (entirely or partially) by the employer
- The activity was designed to benefit the employer (team building, morale, client development, etc.)
- You were paid for your time or received work credit
- The event took place during normal working hours
Even if the event was technically “voluntary,” California courts often side with the worker if refusing to attend could harm career advancement or create workplace tension.
Real-Life Examples We’ve Seen at Laguna Law Firm
- Server at a catered company Christmas party slips on a wet floor and fractures wrist → Covered
- Sales rep required to attend weekend trade show in Las Vegas injures back lifting demo equipment → Covered
- Office worker suffers severe allergic reaction at a “mandatory fun” cooking team-building class → Covered
- Employee twists knee running the 5K at the company-sponsored charity race → Usually covered
- Drunk coworker causes injury at an after-hours happy hour → Sometimes covered (depends on facts)
Immediate Steps to Take If You’re Injured at a Work Event
Acting quickly protects both your health and your legal claim. Follow these steps in order:
1. Seek Medical Treatment Right Away
Your health comes first. If the injury is life-threatening, call 911. Otherwise, go to the nearest urgent care or emergency room.
Tell the medical provider that the injury happened during a work-related event. This single sentence is crucial — it creates a medical record linking the injury to employment.
2. Report the Injury to Your Employer — In Writing
California law requires you to notify your employer within 30 days, but we strongly recommend doing it immediately — preferably the same day or next business day.
Send an email or text that says something like:
“Hi [Supervisor], I wanted to formally report that I injured my [body part] today at the company [event name] when [brief description]. I am seeking medical treatment and will forward the doctor’s note.”
Copy HR if possible. Save screenshots. This written notice starts the workers’ compensation clock and prevents the insurance adjusters from later claiming “we never knew about it.”
3. Fill Out a DWC-1 Claim Form
Your employer must provide you with a DWC-1 Workers’ Compensation Claim Form within one working day of your report. Fill it out completely and return a copy to your employer (keep the original).
4. Document Everything
Take photos of:
- The scene of the injury
- Your visible injuries (bruises, cuts, swelling)
- Any hazardous condition (wet floor, broken chair, etc.)
Save:
- Event invitations or emails showing the event was work-related
- Witness names and contact info
- Receipts for any out-of-pocket medical expenses
5. Be Cautious With Recorded Statements
The workers’ comp insurance adjuster will likely call you within 24–48 hours and ask for a recorded statement. You are NOT required to give one immediately. Politely say:
“I’m still receiving medical treatment and want to make sure I have all the facts straight. I’ll be happy to provide a statement once I’ve spoken with my doctor and an attorney.”
Then call Laguna Law Firm at (949) 930-1386 for a free consultation before saying anything further.
Common Tricks Insurance Companies Use After Work-Event Injuries
Insurance carriers know these claims can be gray-area, so they often try to deny or delay benefits using tactics such as:
- Claiming the event was “purely social” and not work-related
- Arguing you were intoxicated and therefore ineligible (even if alcohol was served by the company)
- Saying the injury was caused by “horseplay”
- Sending you to a doctor who downplays your injury
- Offering a quick lowball settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries
An experienced workers’ compensation attorney levels the playing field.
What Benefits Are You Entitled To?
If your claim is accepted, California workers’ compensation provides:
- All reasonable and necessary medical treatment (no copays or deductibles)
- Temporary disability payments (typically 2/3 of your average weekly wage) while you’re off work
- Permanent disability payments if you have lasting impairment
- Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher up to $6,000 for retraining if you can’t return to your old job
- Death benefits for dependents if the injury proves fatal
Special Situations: Holiday Parties, Alcohol, and Third-Party Liability
Company Holiday Parties
Even though holiday parties usually involve alcohol and occur after hours, California courts have repeatedly ruled they are covered if the event is company-sponsored and benefits the employer (morale, retention, etc.).
Notable case: In 2018, the WCAB awarded benefits to an employee who fell and suffered a traumatic brain injury leaving her employer’s holiday party — even though she had been drinking.
Alcohol Consumption
Voluntary intoxication can reduce benefits, but the employer must prove:
- You were legally intoxicated, AND
- Intoxication was the sole cause of the injury
If the company provided the alcohol and encouraged drinking, this defense rarely succeeds.
Third-Party Lawsuits
If your injury was caused by someone other than your employer or coworker (e.g., a caterer, hotel, or drunk driver), you may have a separate personal injury lawsuit in addition to your workers’ comp claim. These cases can recover pain and suffering damages that workers’ comp does not cover.
Why You Need a Workers’ Compensation Attorney for Work-Event Injuries
Claims involving company parties, team-building events, and trade shows are some of the most frequently disputed claims we see. The insurance company has attorneys working full-time to deny or minimize your benefits — you deserve someone on your side.
At Laguna Law Firm, we offer:
- Free, no-obligation case reviews
- Same-day or next-day appointments
- Spanish-speaking staff
- No fee unless we win your case
- Over 50 years of combined experience fighting for injured California workers
We’ve recovered millions for clients injured at:
- Company picnics and barbecues
- Mandatory training seminars and conferences
- Corporate retreats and team-building exercises
- Holiday parties and award banquets
- Charity events and fun runs sponsored by the employer
Don’t Let the Insurance Company Turn “Team Building” Into Benefit Denials
If you or a loved one was hurt during a work-sponsored event — whether it was a formal conference or a “voluntary” happy hour — you may be entitled to significant workers’ compensation benefits.
The insurance company hopes you’ll accept their first low offer or give up when they deny your claim. Don’t let them.
Call Laguna Law Firm today at (949) 930-1386 or visit lagunalawfirm.com to schedule your free consultation. We serve injured workers throughout Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and all of Southern California.
Your recovery and your financial future are too important to handle alone.
Laguna Law Firm – Standing Up for Injured California Workers Since 2008.
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