Which scenario is an exception to the coming and going rule?

Which scenario is an exception to the coming and going rule?

• A. An employee is injured while performing a work task away from the premises.
• B. An employee is injured while on a personal errand on the way home.
• C. An employee is injured during lunch break at home.
• D. An employee is injured during the normal commute with no work-related activity.

Answer: (A)

The coming and going rule says injuries that happen while traveling to or from work are usually not covered, because you’re not performing work at the time. The exception is when the injury occurs while the employee is performing a work-related task away from the employer’s premises; in that case, the activity is still within the scope of employment even though off-site, so the injury is compensable. So the scenario where the employee is injured while performing a work task away from the premises fits this exception. The other scenarios involve personal travel, a non-work lunch break, or routine commuting with no work activity, which do not meet the exception.

The coming and going rule says injuries that happen while traveling to or from work are usually not covered, because you’re not performing work at the time. The exception is when the injury occurs while the employee is performing a work-related task away from the employer’s premises; in that case, the activity is still within the scope of employment even though off-site, so the injury is compensable. So the scenario where the employee is injured while performing a work task away from the premises fits this exception. The other scenarios involve personal travel, a non-work lunch break, or routine commuting with no work activity, which do not meet the exception.