Getting injured while traveling for work can turn a routine business trip into a nightmare. One moment you’re driving to a client meeting in Los Angeles, flying to a conference in San Francisco, or even staying overnight for a training seminar—the next, you’re in the ER with a serious injury, wondering how you’ll pay medical bills, support your family, and keep your job.
If this has happened to you or someone you know, you’re not alone. Thousands of California workers are injured every year while on work-related travel, and most don’t realize that these injuries are almost always covered by workers’ compensation—even if the accident happens far from the office.
At Laguna Law Firm, we’ve helped hundreds of injured California workers recover full workers’ comp benefits after car accidents on sales routes, slip-and-falls in hotel lobbies, airline injuries, and even assaults during overnight business trips. If you’ve been hurt while traveling for work anywhere in California, call us today at (949) 930-1386 for a FREE consultation or visit lagunalawfirm.com.
Are Injuries During Work-Related Travel Covered by California Workers’ Compensation?
Yes—almost always.
California law is very protective of “traveling employees.” Unlike the usual “coming and going” rule that excludes regular commutes, when your job requires you to travel, you are generally considered to be “in the course and scope of employment” 24/7 from the moment you leave home until you return.
The California Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld this principle. Once your trip begins for business purposes, workers’ compensation covers virtually everything that happens until you get back—even meals, hotel stays, and reasonable personal activities.
Real-world examples we see every week at Laguna Law Firm:
- Delivery drivers, truckers, and sales representatives injured in car accidents
- Construction superintendents who fall at job sites they’re visiting
- Executives who slip in hotel showers or get food poisoning at a required client dinner
- Employees attacked or robbed while staying in a hotel for a conference
- Flight attendants, pilots, and other frequent flyers injured during layovers
- Remote workers required to attend in-person training who are hurt en route
As long as the travel was required or benefited your employer, the injury is presumptively covered.
Immediate Steps to Take If You’re Injured While Traveling for Work in California
The actions you take in the first hours and days can make or break your claim. Follow these steps exactly:
- Seek Medical Treatment Immediately
Your health comes first. Call 911 if it’s an emergency. Even for seemingly minor injuries, get checked out—adrenaline can mask serious problems. Tell every doctor, nurse, and urgent care provider that this happened while you were traveling for work. - Report the Injury to Your Employer Within 30 Days (Sooner Is Better)
California law requires you to notify your employer within 30 days, but waiting even a week can hurt your credibility. Call, email, and text your supervisor. Put it in writing: “I was injured on [date] while traveling for work when [brief description].” Ask for a DWC-1 claim form. - Document Absolutely Everything
- Photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, hotel room, injuries
- Witness names and contact info
- Receipts for hotels, meals, Uber rides, flights—proof you were on business travel
- Screenshots of work emails assigning the trip
- Medical records and bills Pro tip: Create a dedicated folder on your phone called “Workers Comp Injury” the moment something happens.
- File Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Properly
Complete the DWC-1 form your employer gives you and return it promptly. Your employer must then file with their insurance company and give you a claim number. - Do NOT Give a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Adjuster Without a Lawyer
This is the biggest mistake injured workers make. The adjuster works for the insurance company, not you. They will twist your words to deny or reduce your claim. Politely decline and say you’ll have your attorney contact them.
Common Types of Work Travel Injuries Laguna Law Firm Handles
- Car accidents while driving to client meetings or between job sites (most common)
- Slip-and-fall accidents in hotels, airports, conference centers
- Repetitive strain or back injuries from carrying heavy luggage required for work
- Food poisoning or illness from required business meals
- Assaults or robberies while staying overnight for work
- Injuries during company-sponsored team-building events or retreats
- Aviation injuries for frequent business flyers
We recently helped a pharmaceutical sales rep in Orange County recover over $375,000 after she was rear-ended on the 405 Freeway while driving to see doctors. The insurance company initially offered only $18,000. After we took over, we proved the travel was required and forced a six-figure settlement that covered her surgery, lost wages, and future medical care.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits You’re Entitled to After a Travel Injury
California workers’ comp pays 100% of authorized medical treatment—no copays, no deductibles
Temporary disability payments (usually 2/3 of your average weekly wage) while you can’t work
Permanent disability settlements 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 families if the worst happens
These benefits are your legal right—don’t let an insurance company bully you out of them.
Why Travel Injury Claims Get Denied (And How We Fix It)
Insurance companies love to deny work-travel claims with these tired excuses:
“She was on a personal detour” → We prove the detour was reasonable or minimal
“He was intoxicated” → We demand the actual toxicology report and challenge false positives
“The hotel fall happened during personal time” → We show you were still on required business travel
“The injury happened out of state” → California workers’ comp still applies if you were hired here or your employer is based here
At Laguna Law Firm, we’ve overturned hundreds of wrongful denials. Insurance companies know our name—and they know we take cases to trial when they play games.
Why Injured California Workers Choose Laguna Law Firm
- We focus 100% on California workers’ compensation—no distractions with other case types
- Thousands of injured workers helped across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, and all of California
- No fee unless we win—you owe us nothing upfront
- Spanish-speaking staff available
- 24/7 answering service—you can reach us any time
- Proven track record of beating insurance companies and getting maximum settlements
Read what our clients say:
“I was injured in a car accident while driving for work in Sacramento. The insurance company said my commute wasn’t covered. Laguna Law Firm proved I was a traveling employee and got me $285,000. I cannot thank them enough.” – Maria R., Los Angeles
“Slipped in a hotel shower during a required training in San Diego. Insurance denied everything. Laguna Law Firm took my case and settled for $192,000 plus all medical paid. Best decision I ever made.” – James T., Irvine
Don’t Wait—California Has Strict Deadlines
You only have 1 year from the date of injury (or date you discovered the injury) to file an Application for Adjudication with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. Miss that deadline and you lose everything forever.
If you or a loved one was injured while traveling for work anywhere in California—whether a car accident on the 5 Freeway, a fall in a Marriott lobby, or any other incident—call Laguna Law Firm right now at (949) 930-1386 for your FREE, no-obligation consultation.
We’ll review your case, tell you exactly what your claim is worth, and fight to get you every dollar you deserve.
You pay nothing unless we win.
Call (949) 930-1386 now or visit lagunalawfirm.com to schedule your free case review today.
You don’t have to face the insurance company alone. Laguna Law Firm has your back.
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