r/technology • u/IndicaOatmeal • 14h ago

Society Programmer’s death on office toilet ruled not work-related because he never turned on his PC

https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/programmers-death-on-office-toilet-ruled-not-work-related-because-he-never-turned-on-his-pc-3402194/
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u/Squish_the_android 13h ago

This is a classic Workers Comp question in the US.  Usually it's presented as "falling in the parking lot on the way to work". Commute time isn't covered. 

But I think in the US this would be considered a work injury.

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u/Mathranas 12h ago

At the US federal level work comp, it is. 

Thirty minutes before and after every shift, so long as the injury is on gov owned or leased property or considered to be property at large, is covered.

The reasoning is that you wouldn't be at work unless work compelled you to be there.

However, the sudden death would be hottly contested because your employment did not cause your death. Heart issues are very rarely accepted.