If you’re a fan of The Office, you probably remember the Season 9 episode where Dunder Mifflin employees compete in a paper airplane contest. Things take a turn when poor Toby Flenderson gets nailed in the eye with a rogue paper plane. While it’s played for laughs in the show, it raises an interesting question:
What happens if something like that happened in real life? Could you sue your coworker? Would workers’ comp cover it?
As personal injury attorneys at Pisanchyn Law Firm, we see real-life versions of these “funny until they’re not” moments all the time. Let’s break it down.
Could Toby File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Yes, absolutely – Under Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law, employees are generally entitled to benefits if they’re injured during the course of their employment — even if the incident was unintentional or seemed minor.
In Toby’s case, although the injury was caused by a paper airplane (seemingly harmless), it happened at work, during work hours, and in the office. That’s enough to trigger workers’ comp eligibility, especially if the injury required medical treatment or led to missed work.
What About Suing the Coworker?
This is where it gets trickier.
In most situations, workers’ comp is considered the “exclusive remedy” — meaning employees can’t sue coworkers or employers unless the injury resulted from intentional harm or gross negligence.
If Toby could prove that the paper airplane was thrown recklessly, or that someone had a history of workplace misconduct, there could be grounds for a separate personal injury claim. Otherwise, workers’ comp is usually the only legal route.
Employer Liability: Did Dunder Mifflin Drop the Ball?
Employers have a duty to provide a safe working environment.
If the company encouraged the contest, failed to set safety rules, or ignored warnings about rowdy behavior (looking at you, Dwight), there might be additional employer liability involved. While it wouldn’t override workers’ comp, it could be used to show a pattern of negligence if more serious injuries occurred.
Real-World Takeaway
While Toby’s paper airplane incident makes for great TV, real workplace injuries — even silly-sounding ones — can have serious consequences. Whether you slipped on a wet floor, got hit with an object, or suffered an injury due to unsafe working conditions, you have rights.
At Pisanchyn Law Firm, we help injured workers across Pennsylvania get the benefits and compensation they deserve. If you’ve been hurt on the job, don’t wait — call us for a free consultation today.
