Under the going and coming rule, injuries occurring while traveling to or from work are generally:

• A. Always compensable.
• B. Generally not compensable.
• C. Always non-compensable unless required by the employer.
• D. Compensable only if the travel benefits the employer.

Answer: (B)

The going and coming rule says that injuries you suffer while simply traveling to or from work are generally not covered by workers’ comp because the trip is considered personal time, not an employment activity. The employment relationship isn’t in play during a routine commute, so injuries from that travel aren’t compensable.

There are exceptions, though: if the travel itself is part of the job or required by the employer, the trip can fall within the course of employment and may be compensable. For example, if you’re traveling to a remote job site, running a business errand for the employer during the trip, or performing duties that the employer directs while traveling, the injury could be covered because you’re effectively acting on the employer’s behalf during the travel. In the standard commute scenario, however, it remains generally not compensable.