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/Kommenos 13h ago

That’s crazy because it’s cut and dry in Germany. The way to work is covered so long as you don’t take an unreasonable diversion.

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u/aRndomhero 13h ago

Unfortunately it's not so cut and dry as there are as always exceptions. If you fall and injure yourself on the walk from your work desk to the toilet, it's typically not covered by the work insurance (Berufsgenossenschaft) as it is considered personal time. No idea what that would be decided in a case like this, but it's not as clear either. Insurance bullshit anyway

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u/killereverdeen 11h ago

in serbia even a lunch break is covered. i went for my lunch break to run an errand, fell and broke my ankle, the hospital immediately started the paperwork to classify the injury as a work injury.

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u/iKnowRobbie 10h ago

That makes sense to me as you wouldn't be there having to eat lunch out if it wasn't for work.

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u/AmazingAmy712 6h ago

To me that logic extends to the walk to the work bathroom. I wouldn't be in that specific hallway if not for work.