In North Carolina, injuries that do not occur in the course of employment might not be compensable. The phrase “in the course of employment” has a specific meaning when applied to a workers compensation case. Sometimes, an employee is acting in the course of his/her employment, even when the employee was doing something that he/she was specifically forbidden to do. For example, an employee could have a compensable accident if he/she was hurt while disobeying the instructions of a superior, if the forbidden action provided some benefit to the employer. See Hoyle v. Isenhour Brick & Tile Co., 306 N.C. 248, 251, 293 S.E.2d 196, 198 (1982). If your employer has told you that you are not entitled to benefits because you were not acting in the course of your employment when you were injured, you should contact a North Carolina Workers Compensation attorney promptly. This is a complex area of the law, and only an experienced attorney can help you determine whether you will be entitled to compensation. If you have any questions, please contact a Charlotte work injury attorney John or Christian at the law firm of Ayers, Whitlow, Dressler by calling (704) 377-5050.