Worker's Comp For Injuries You Cause

By Amy E. Feldman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Let's say you're goofing off at work and get hurt. Can you collect workers comp?

In a move worthy of Metta World Peace's beat down of a fan in the stands, Amare Stoudemire's lack of self control caused him angrily to punch the glass housing of a fire extinguisher and badly cutting his hand.

Basketball players aren't the only ones who hurt themselves doing stupid things around the office. Regular work-day morons are equally capable.

So can you get workers comp if you've done something stupid? The answer is often yes.

Under workers comp laws, employees are not allowed to sue their employers for injuries they sustain on the job. The flip side is that those injuries are covered by workers comp, so long as your injury was work related. And that's true even if you were violating a workplace rule at the time.

That said, you have to show that your injury is work related, and not the result of off duty conduct, as Mr. Stoudemire's might be considered once he left the basketball court.

You may also have a tough time getting workers comp if your injury was, like Mr. Stoudemire's, self-inflicted. But whether or not you are entitled to workers comp, at least you probably didn't do any damage to your hundred million dollar career.