Course Of Employment Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Course Of Employment, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Course Of Employment?

A clause in the Workers’ Compensation acts in which at the time of an accident it should be well known that the employee was involved in his work and then only claims arising from damages can be made.

History and Meaning of Course Of Employment

The term "course of employment" is commonly used in the field of workers’ compensation law. It refers to an accident that occurs while an employee is carrying out the responsibilities assigned to them by their employer. The course of employment can include the location, task, and time of an incident that results in injury or illness. The course of employment must be established to make a claim for workers’ compensation. The legal definition gives an overview of the term and what it entails.

The concept of "course of employment" can be traced back to the early 20th century, where it became a standard principle in workers' compensation cases. Its origins can be traced back to the introduction of workers’ compensation laws as a means of protecting employees who were injured in the course of their employment. The principle of the course of employment is used to determine whether an injury was work-related and thus eligible for compensation.

Examples of Course Of Employment

  1. An employee who is injured while performing his or her job duties is located within the course of employment. For example, an employee who falls off a ladder while doing plumbing work at a customer’s house.
  2. A delivery driver who is injured in a car accident while making a delivery in a company vehicle is also in the course of employment.
  3. A clerk who is injured during a robbery at a convenience store is in the course of employment because the injury occurred while carrying out his or her work duties.

Legal Terms Similar to Course Of Employment

  1. Workers’ compensation - A system of insurance that provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their work.
  2. Scope of employment - The scope of employment refers to the roles and responsibilities assigned to an employee by their employer.
  3. Work-related injury - An injury that occurs while an employee is carrying out work-related duties.