Workers’ Comp And Working From Home

While people have been working from home in Maryland and around the country for decades, the number of workers performing their professional tasks for their apartments, condominiums, and houses has increased in recent years. And unfortunately, people can be injured in connection with their work whether they are in the office, on a business trip, or working from home.

If you were injured while working remotely, you may be wondering who is responsible for paying your injury expenses. For example, exploring if you can file a workers’ compensation claim with your employer may be on your mind. Or maybe you already moved forward with a workers’ comp claim and were met with a claim denial. Either way, after an injury, a Baltimore personal injury lawyer can help you explore your recovery options.

Were You Performing a Work Task When You Were Hurt?

Remote workers and telecommuting are often covered by their employer’s insurance policies, but the injury or illness needs to have been in direct relationship with a work task. There is a burden of proof on the injured party.

While it is not always easy to prove, there are situations when remote employees connect with workers’ comp relief. For instance, if you work from home and have a job that is subject to cumulative use injuries, such as tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and back pain, your employer should take steps to alleviate or avoid harm by promoting an ergonomic workstation for you, whether you are at home and in the office.

Some ways to help prevent cumulative injuries for employees performing work tasks on a computer:

• Raise the computer display. Setting up a display monitor at eye level to avoid hunching over a laptop.
• Notice wrist positioning. Often the keyboard and mouse need to be separate in order to achieve appropriate workstation positioning.
• Taking breaks. Remaining seated all day can lead to health issues. Workers can be encouraged to stand and walk during phone meetings or stretch a certain position during the work day.

Employer Should Have Clear Guidelines

When a workplace sets clear expectations for employees working remotely, it can provide everyone involved with set rules and what to do if an injury or illness occurs. Factors that should be stated include the location of the remote employee’s workspace and hours that the work will be performed.

There may even be langage in your employment agreement that states working from home is a perk, not an expectation. Depending on the wording, this could be stated, in part, to reduce liability in the event of a remote worker’s injury or illness. To have the facts of your situation reviewed, talk to a Baltimore personal injury lawyer.

What are your choices following a Baltimore injury sustained while working from home? To protect your rights, talk to the legal team at Iamele & Iamele, LLP. Every employer in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan area is required to have the level of insurance coverage that is in line with their industry and staff size. Contact us to schedule a no-cost consultation today.