Many companies now have employees who work from home, and you may be a member of this group.
If you suffer an injury during working hours, are you eligible to apply for workers’ compensation benefits?
The remote work environment
If you work from home, you may have your own room or space that contains a desk, a computer and other essentials that are much the same as those your counterparts use in the office. You may also travel on behalf of the company. No matter where you are when you suffer an injury, as long as you are actively working for your employer, you should have coverage for any medical expenses and lost wages under workers’ compensation.
Injured worker responsibilities
You must seek medical attention for an injury and notify your employer promptly. Even if you provide this information verbally, follow up in writing so there is a record for your personnel file. Your employer should be able to provide a claim form for you to complete. If the workers’ compensation insurer does not offer the benefits you need, you can file another claim for more comprehensive benefits. Remember that as a remote employee, the burden of proof falls to you. If you sustained the injury while engaged in work for your employer, you should qualify to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
The preferred outcome
Your employer does not have control over your remote working environment and the courts find that this is not sufficient to deny you workers’ compensation benefits. However, if you are facing a possible denial, or if your injury is severe, preventing you from returning to your job, a knowledgeable advocate can help you achieve the outcome you deserve when filing your claim.
