Work Holiday Party Injuries: What Employees Should Know About Their Rights

Every December, offices across the country transform into a festive mix of twinkly lights, questionable karaoke, and at least one coworker dressed as an ironically ugly holiday sweater.

Work holiday parties are meant to bring coworkers together, boost morale, build camaraderie, and give Susan from accounting a stage to reveal her surprisingly impressive Mariah Carey high notes.

But amid the eggnog, buffets, raffles, and dance floors, things can go from festive to frightful faster than you can say “Secret Santa.” And while holiday parties are supposed to be fun, injuries that happen at them are no joke.

So if your jingle bells turned into alarm bells this season, here’s what you need to know about your rights after a work holiday party injury.

Wait… Can You Really Get Injured at a Holiday Party?

Absolutely. You’d be surprised how many workplace injuries each year involve:

• Slipping on spilled cider
• Tripping over holiday décor (inflatable reindeer are a hazard, folks)
• Falling off a stage during a spirited lip-sync performance
• Getting hit by a rogue piñata bat at the “multicultural holiday” celebration
• Overenthusiastic conga lines gone wrong
• Accidents during high-energy, competitive gift-exchange games
• Mistletoe mishaps that have you literally falling for someone

Holiday party energy is fun, chaotic, and sometimes a little too free-spirited, but the injuries that come from these events can be just as serious as those that happen during regular work hours.

Here’s the Big Question: Does Workers’ Comp Cover This?

Maybe! 

Holiday parties fall into a weird legal gray area. Whether your injury is covered by workers’ compensation depends on a few key factors:

Was the party sponsored by your employer?

If your company planned, paid for, or promoted the event, it’s more likely to be considered work-related.

Was attendance mandatory (or strongly encouraged)?

If skipping the party wasn’t really an option, like if your boss kept saying, “See you there!” with that look, your claim may be stronger.

Did the injury occur during an activity related to the event?

Injuries that happen onsite, during party hours, or during planned activities may qualify.

Was alcohol provided by your employer?

If your company provides or overserves alcohol and an injury results, liability becomes more complicated but also potentially more favorable for your claim.

The bottom line is that many holiday party injuries are covered, even if the festivities took place off-site or after hours.

Alcohol + Work Events = Legal Complexity (and Sometimes a Lawsuit)

Let’s be real: holiday party accidents often happen when the punch gets a little too… punchy.

If an intoxicated coworker causes your injury or if your employer overserves guests, they may be liable for damages. This could include:

• Workers’ compensation
• Negligence claims
• Third-party liability

This is where things get more serious than your CEO’s dance moves.

Common Holiday Party Injuries We See

(And yes, these happen more often than you think.)

• Slip and falls
• Sprains, fractures, and twisted ankles from dancing
• Food poisoning from undercooked “festive surprise” appetizers
• Burns from chafing dishes and candles
• Car accidents after the party
• Falling decorations
• Concussion-by-giant-ornament

If you’re wondering whether your holiday mishap “counts,” the answer is usually: it’s worth finding out.

What to Do if You’re Injured at a Work Holiday Party

The steps you take following a workplace accident, even if it’s a party, can make a huge difference in how you’re able to move forward with a claim and your life.

1. Report the injury ASAP. Even if the party DJ is still spinning “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” take your injury seriously and have the incident officially documented.
2. Document everything. Injuries, witnesses, location, what happened, and anything the company provided are all important details that will matter later on.
3. Seek medical attention. Even if you think you feel fine, some injuries won’t show symptoms right away and can worsen over time if left untreated. This will also create a medical record for a personal injury claim. More on that later.
4. Don’t assume you’re not covered. Holiday party claims are more valid than most employees realize.
5. Contact Morgan & Morgan. This is why you should report the injury, document everything, and get medical treatment. All of these actions serve as evidence to maximize a claim and make sure you get compensated for what you need and deserve to move forward from an unexpected injury that wasn’t your fault. 

These cases can get tricky fast, especially when alcohol or third-party venues are involved. The sooner you can speak to an attorney, the stronger your case may be. Best of all, it doesn’t cost a dime to get your case evaluated.

How Morgan & Morgan Can Help

Holiday parties should end with goofy photos, laughs, and maybe a mild regret or two—not medical bills, lost wages, or complicated legal stress.

If you were injured at a work holiday party, our attorneys can help determine whether your injury qualifies for workers’ compensation, if your employer or a third party could be held liable, and what compensation you may be entitled to for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering

We’ve recovered billions for people injured because of someone else’s negligence, and we’re here to stand by you and fight for what you deserve.

Let Morgan & Morgan handle the legal side, so you can focus on healing and getting back to enjoying the season. Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation.