In Utah, workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, which means that employees are generally eligible for benefits regardless of who was at fault for the injury or illness. This means that if you were injured on the job, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, even if the injury was your fault.
There are some exceptions to this rule, however. If your injury was caused by your intentional misconduct or by your use of drugs or alcohol, you may not be eligible for all the generally available workers’ compensation benefits. In addition, if you were injured while engaging in activities that were not related to your job, such as horseplay or fighting, you may not be eligible for all the generally available benefits.
It is important to report any workplace injury or illness as soon as possible, regardless of whether you think it was your fault or not. Even if you were at fault and fall under one of the exceptions, you may still qualify for some of the benefits. If your claim is denied or you have questions about what benefits you qualify for, it is recommended to consult with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to understand your options for benefits or appeal and to protect your rights under the law.