Although workers’ compensation laws differ among the states, they have certain common features. Explain whether each of the following persons would be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. In each case, assume that the disabled worker works in a covered occupation. Treat each event separately.

a. Josh, age 22, was driving home after work when a drunk driver failed to stop and smashed into his car. Josh was hospitalized and was off work for three weeks.

b. Karen, age 38, worked late on a company report due the next day. When she finished later in the evening, she walked down a flight of stairs to the parking lot, slipped, and fractured her leg. Fortunately, a security guard heard her cries for help. She required surgery and was off work for eight weeks. She also received physical therapy for the fractured leg.

c. Scott, age 35, worked for a construction company. While working on the roof of a high-rise apartment building, a gust of wind blew him off the roof into an adjacent hole. He died while being transported to a local hospital.

Scott was married with two preschool children.

d. Pedro, age 22, works for a fast food restaurant. He carelessly spilled hot grease on his arm while removing French fries from a container in which the fries were cooked. He suffered third-degree burns and received emergency treatment at a nearby hospital. He was off work for one week.

e. Rudy, age 58, works in a lumberyard. A stack of lumber collapsed and injured his foot. The injured foot did not respond to medical treatment and later had to be amputated. Rudy was off work for one year. He was eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits.