Utilities concerned that workers are at risk with shut-offs

A story appeared in today's Sun Times about the risks that utility workers face when going to people's homes to shut off service due to non-payment.  As you might expect, these workers do not receive a friendly reception and some have been the targets of violence.  All of the utilities -- People's Gas, Nicor, and Com Ed -- are reporting that more and more consumers are behind on their bills by larger amounts and are eligible for service disconnection.

Should any of the utility workers be injured as a result of being assaulted while shutting off the service to a customer, they may be eligible for Illinois worker's compensation benefits.

One of the requirements for a worker's compensation case is that the injury arise out of the employment.  This essentially means that there has to be a work connection to the injury other than it simply happened while you are on the clock.  In some cases, workers who are the victims of random violence while on the clock do not have a right to recover worker's compensation benefits.  However, a utility company employee who is targeted for violence because of a work-related activity such as shutting off the service to a customer should have little trouble establishing his right to receive worker's compensation benefits.