Florida WC & Office Parties!

RMH

Good Morning -

I have a question regarding a Christmas office party our company held off site at another location and after work hours.

Part of the functions at these parties is the manager hands out awards earned by the employees for various reasons.

During these awards this year the manager suffered a seizure and was taken by ambulance to a local hospital...

Because this was a company function and the manager was acting as a company official handing out awards we proceeded to file this as a workers' comp claim...

What are your feeling on this issue...

Thank you...

Regards, RMH

SMace

I would file the claim and let your WC carrier sort it out. The answer all depends on FL state WC law.

My feeling on this issue is that it will be covered under WC.

NaeNae55

I agree, it is work comp unless/until a diagnosis comes in that would preclude it.

But, how terrible for this to happen! I hope he is ok now. Did he recover or is he still in the hospital? How are your other employees dealing with this?

Nae

System

Not to be heartless or uncaring, but if the seizure was due to a medical condition and is unrelated to the performance of his job duties, you should consider fighting the claim and have it handled under hs medical policy. Just because it happens during work doesn't mean it is a compensable injury. Like recommended before, discuss this with your carrier and get thier input; but if there is a legitimate avenue to deny the claim, I would highly recommend you try to aviod that claim going on your loss history.

SMace

I agree with VP. I read it quickly and missed the seizure part. It should not be covered.

dbutton111

I'm in FL and had a similar situation happen. WC denied and his regular health insurance picked it up.