When Working From Home, Trip Over Dog Not a Workers' Comp Injury

March 6, 2024

A Florida court has ruled an employee working from home who was hurt when she tripped over her dog while reaching for a coffee cup in her kitchen was not entitled to workers’ compensation benefits because her injury did not “arise” out of her employment.

The Case

Tammitha Valcourt-Williams, a workers’ compensation claims adjuster for Sedgwick CMS, was allowed to work from her home. According to Valcourt-Williams, after working for three hours, she went downstairs for a cappuccino. As she reached for her cup, Valcourt-Williams said she fell over one of her two dogs and injured her knee, hip and shoulder.Because she had a work-from-home arrangement and because her fall occurred during working hours, Valcourt-

Williams sought workers’ compensation benefits.

Sedgwick denied the claim, contending Valcourt-Williams’ injuries did not arise out of her employment.

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