Which factor makes an off-premises break injury compensable?

Which factor makes an off-premises break injury compensable?

• A. The injury occurred during a personal errand.
• B. The injury occurred during an on-premises break.
• C. The breaks were not approved or customary.
• D. The breaks were customary and approved by the employer.

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that an off-premises break can be compensable only if the break is a normal, approved part of the work routine. When breaks are customary and approved by the employer, the worker remains in the course of employment during the break, even if off site, so an injury that occurs during that break is covered by workers’ compensation. If the break isn’t approved or isn’t customary, the time off-site is considered outside the employee’s employment scope, and injuries during it aren’t compensable. Thus, the factor that makes an off-premises break injury compensable is that the breaks were customary and approved by the employer.

The key idea is that an off-premises break can be compensable only if the break is a normal, approved part of the work routine. When breaks are customary and approved by the employer, the worker remains in the course of employment during the break, even if off site, so an injury that occurs during that break is covered by workers’ compensation. If the break isn’t approved or isn’t customary, the time off-site is considered outside the employee’s employment scope, and injuries during it aren’t compensable. Thus, the factor that makes an off-premises break injury compensable is that the breaks were customary and approved by the employer.