In today’s digital world, more and more workers are telecommuting from home or from another remote location. This flexibility has its advantages, giving employees the ability to work from almost anywhere. But what about the risks? Does working remotely put you at a higher risk for injury?
Working from home or any other remote location does not change whether or not you can file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits if you get injured at work. However, there are some considerations that may affect your eligibility to receive these benefits. Contact KCNS Law Group today if you have any questions about your workers’ compensation claim.
While many employees are covered by workers’ compensation if they are injured on the job, the situation is less clear for those who work remotely. In general, workers’ compensation will cover employees who are injured while working from home, but the specifics vary from state to state. For example, some states require that the injury be directly caused by the work itself, while others may allow for more general claims.
Workers’ compensation insurance typically covers remote workers who are injured or become ill while performing their job duties, regardless of where they are working. This is because the telecommuting arrangement does not change the employer-employee relationship, and the employer is still acting in the interest of the company during work hours. However, if an injury or illness occurs outside of work hours or in the worker’s home environment, generally employers are not responsible for providing coverage.
A work-related injury at home is one that occurs while the employee is performing their work duties or as a result of those duties. The personal comfort doctrine does not apply to work-related injuries, so an employee who is injured at home while performing their work duties will still be covered by workers’ compensation. However, if the injury occurs during someone’s lunch break or after work hours, it may not be covered.
There are also some gray areas when it comes to remote workers. If an employee is injured while performing their work duties, they will be covered by workers’ compensation. However, if the injury is a result of their remote working conditions, such as their own outlet shocking them, it may not be covered.
If you are injured while working at home, there are a few things you should do. First, if your injury is severe, you should seek medical attention right away. If your injury is not severe, you can try to treat it at home. However, if your injury does not improve or gets worse, you should see a doctor. Second, you should report your injury to your employer.
This is important because your employer may be liable for your injuries if they occurred due to your work. Finally, you should document everything related to your injury, including how it happened and what treatments you have received. This will be important if you need to file a workers’ compensation claim or take legal action against your employer.
If you are injured while working at home, it is a good idea to consult the lawyers at KCNS Law Group before making a decision on what to do next. It’s still a good idea to inform your employer and get medical attention as soon as possible, but meeting with lawyers to see what your options are is a great next step.
You may be able to claim workers’ compensation for your injury, it just depends on your circumstances. Contact us online or call us at (818) 937-9255 to review your case and see what your options are. We can help you throughout the entire claims process.