Holiday season

Hurt at the work holiday party? Workers' comp rules in Nevada

In plain words: in Nevada an injury at a social or athletic event your employer sponsors, like the company holiday party, does not count as a work injury unless you were paid to take part in it (NRS 616A.265). If it does count, tell your employer in writing within 7 days and file the claim within 90 days (NRS 616C.015, 616C.020).

Does it count as a work injury?

Usually not covered

Hurt at an athletic or social event your employer sponsored
And you weren't paid for taking part (NRS 616A.265(1))

Can be covered

You received pay for taking part in the event
The injury arose out of and in the course of your job, like setting up, serving or cleaning up as your work

School district staff (NRS 616A.265(3))

Covered, paid or not, if the district sponsored the event (or a student group did, for a purpose tied to the job)
You took part at a supervisor's request or with their OK
You were there to make the event happen or keep students safe

Drinking can end the claim (NRS 616C.230)

No compensation for an injury while intoxicated at or over the DUI blood alcohol limit
Unless you prove by clear and convincing evidence the drinking didn't cause it
The same goes for drugs without your own prescription

If it might be a work injury: the deadlines

1. Get care. Emergency: call 911. Tell the doctor how and where it happened.

2. Written notice within 7 days. Give your employer written notice on the state form as soon as you can, and no later than 7 days after the accident. Your employer must keep the forms on hand, sign that it got yours, and you keep a copy (NRS 616C.015).

3. Claim within 90 days. If you saw a doctor or missed work, file the claim with the employer's insurer within 90 days of the accident (NRS 616C.020).

4. Missed a deadline? Missing them bars the claim, but the insurer can excuse it if the injury stopped you, you didn't know the facts or the law, you weren't able to, or someone deceived you (NRS 616C.025).

Temp, staffing agency or leased worker

A leased employee who tells the supervisor at the client company, rather than at the leasing company, has given proper notice (NRS 616C.015(6)). Seasonal hires: see seasonal jobs.

Hurt by someone else at the party, or driving home

If workers' comp doesn't cover it, a claim against the person who caused it may be a regular injury case. A car crash: car accident. An impaired driver: DUI. Small losses: small claims. Free advice: free legal help.

Hosting or going to a party this season

Alcohol and minors, open containers and getting home safe on New Year's Eve: New Year's Eve in Las Vegas. Holiday pay and time off: holiday pay.

Read 2026-11-05 from Nevada Revised Statutes on this house's law shelf: NRS 616A.265 (chapter 616A, Rev. 4/15/2026); NRS 616C.015, 616C.020, 616C.025 and 616C.230 (chapter 616C, Rev. 4/15/2026).