Legal Definitions - parking-lot rule

The parking-lot rule is a principle in workers' compensation insurance that states that an employee is covered for injuries suffered while on the employer's premises when arriving at or leaving work. This rule is also known as the premises rule.

For example, if an employee slips and falls in the company parking lot while walking to their car after work, their injuries would be covered by workers' compensation insurance. Similarly, if an employee is injured while walking from their car to the building at the start of their shift, their injuries would also be covered.

The parking-lot rule is important because it ensures that employees are protected even when they are not actively working. It recognizes that the employer has a responsibility to provide a safe environment for their employees, both inside and outside of the workplace.