Is my employer responsible for my ambulance transport bill if I got sick at work?
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Is my employer responsible for my ambulance transport bill if I got sick at work?
While at work I received an email then phone call from my supervisor; I was being pressured to reach out to a previous agency client. While still at work I began developing chest pain and I was then transported by ambulance to the hospital. I have recently received a bill for the balance that my insurance did not cover. Since the incident took place while I was at work, is my employer responsible for the remaining balance?
Asked on February 6, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, New Jersey
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Why would your employer be liable? To analogize: if someone fell ill at your home, for example, would you automtaically be responsible for their amubulence bill and other medical costs? The answer is no--without more, neither you nor your employer would be liable.
A person or business is NOT responsible for another's injuries or medical expenses unless they were at fault in causing them; the mere fact that someone because ill or was injured at a place of business (or at a private home) does not make the person or business owing or renting the property liable.
The fact that you were "pressured" does not make the employee liable--there is no fault in "pressuring" an employee to reach out to previous client. Pressure is a natural part of work; if a given job, career, or industry is too high pressure for a particular person, that person probably needs to consider a career change; however, the employer is not responsible for any stress-induced ailments or their costs.
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