AOE (Arising out of the course of employment)

AOE stands for "arising out of the course of employment" and is the term used to determine whether or not a worker's injuries should be covered under their employer's workers compensation insurance policy. Other common terms for injuries which occur while the worker is performing their work-related injury can include industrial injury, industrial accident, compensable injury, and work injury.

Injuries are categorized in three ways: injuries to the body from a specific incident (i.e. an employee falls down stairs and breaks their leg), cumulative injuries, which include an injury from a repetitive action (i.e. hearing loss from repeated exposure to a loud noise), or an aggravated injury, which can include any condition which existed prior to employment but is aggravated by an occupational injury or disease.

Injuries which arise out of the course of employment and are covered by workers' compensation must occur during assigned work hours (not including hours to and from work), on the employer's property, and while performing work-related activities. If the employee is intoxicated, if the injury due to an act of God (i.e. tornado, storm, earthquake), if the injury is sustained by an employee who has initiated an assault, or if the injury is self-inflicted, it may not be covered under an employer's workers' compensation policy.

Investigation for AOE injuries

If you have been injured and the employer has questions about your injuries they may initiate an AOE investigation. Investigations will review your work assignment, statements you have made, your normal occupation and duties, the date and time of your alleged injuries, prior medical history, current medical treatment, whether you have any other employment, witness statements, supervisor statements, photographs of the scene and other pending investigations. Each of these factors will be reviewed to determine if you have a valid workers' compensation claim.