Injuries that Qualify for Workers' Comp - FAQ | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

If your injury is by accident or work-related disease, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.  As soon as possible after the injury, you should file a claim with the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission. The Commission will look at your claim and decide whether it is a covered injury.

To be covered as an accident, the accident must:

  • Occur at work or during a work-related function
  • Be caused by a work activity
  • Happen suddenly at one specific time. Injuries caused gradually are generally not covered.

To be covered as a disease, it must be caused by your work. However, diseases of the back, neck, or spinal column are not covered.

If you aren’t sure whether your injury is one that entitles you to workers’ compensation benefits, consider contacting our firm, or visiting the Workers’ Compensation Commission website: https://www.workcomp.virginia.gov/portal/vwc-website