If an employee suffers an injury due to intentional misconduct, what may happen to their compensation claim?

• A. It is fully awarded
• B. It may be reduced
• C. It is denied
• D. It is temporarily suspended

Answer: (B)

When an employee suffers an injury due to intentional misconduct, the compensation claim may be reduced. This is based on the principle that benefits are often designed to cover injuries that occur in the course of employment under normal circumstances, and intentional misconduct usually falls outside of this scope.

In most jurisdictions, if an employee purposely engages in actions that lead to their injury—such as fighting, violating safety protocols, or other reckless behaviors—the employer may argue that the injury was self-inflicted or a result of the employee's own actions, which can lead to a reduction in the amount of compensation awarded.

Furthermore, such behavior raises questions about the employee's responsibility and liability in relation to their injury, potentially affecting the extent of benefits they are eligible to receive. While some jurisdictions might allow for a claim to be denied altogether in cases of severe misconduct, it is more common that the claim is reduced to reflect the employee's involvement in the injury.