Are work-related injuries that result from the use of drugs or alcohol compensable?

A growing number of states partially or completely limit workers' compensation benefits when the cause of a work-related injury is the employee's intoxication or illegal drug use on the job. Under some state laws, if the employee's use of drugs or alcohol is found to be the cause of a work-related injury, the injury is not covered by workers' compensation or, if covered, the employee forfeits his or her right to receive compensation benefits. Some states add that if the employer knew of the employee's drug or alcohol use on the job and failed to try to stop it, the injury will be compensable. For state-specific information, see State Laws.