An employee at S&P Global has been denied workers’ compensation benefits after claiming he injured his knee during a company-sponsored event at TopGolf. The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission (VWCC) upheld the decision made by a deputy commissioner, who found that the employee did not prove his injury was work-related.
The incident occurred on June 10, 2024, when the employee attended a TopGolf event, which features a high-tech driving range. He reported that on his first swing, his knee buckled, causing pain and a popping sound. After falling, he sat for about 15 to 20 minutes but continued to participate in the event, even attending lunch and playing for another hour.
Despite claiming he informed his supervisor about the injury on the day of the event and during subsequent meetings, the supervisor testified that he did not mention it at those times. Instead, he only reported the injury to human resources weeks later, on the day he was terminated from his job.
The employee, who worked as a customer service specialist, sought medical benefits and temporary total disability more than six weeks after the incident. S&P Global and its insurance provider denied his claims, arguing that he did not report a compensable injury in a timely manner and delayed seeking medical treatment.
The deputy commissioner emphasized that the employee’s failure to report the injury immediately and his delayed medical treatment were key factors in denying his claim. The employee argued that the supervisor’s testimony was not relevant to whether the injury occurred, but the VWCC disagreed, siding with the deputy commissioner.
The supervisor stated that if the employee had reported the injury right after it happened, the HR department would have investigated and arranged for medical care. Ultimately, the VWCC concluded that the employee did not provide sufficient evidence to support his claim, marking a significant setback for him in his pursuit of workers’ compensation benefits.