What will happen if an employee is under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of their injury?

When an employee is under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of their injury, they typically will not receive any benefits. This principle is grounded in workplace safety regulations and the ethical standards that govern employee conduct. The rationale behind this is that impairment from substances can directly contribute to the cause of the injury, and the injury may have been preventable had the employee been in a sober state. Many jurisdictions have laws that specifically deny or limit workers' compensation benefits in these situations to ensure that benefits are awarded fairly, promoting a safe working environment devoid of substance use.

In scenarios where an employee's impairment is proven to be a significant factor in the injury, it is generally viewed as a breach of their obligation to maintain a safe and productive working environment, thus justifying the denial of benefits.