Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the way we work has changed drastically. More workers now than ever have the opportunity to work from home, which has raised the question, “Are remote workers eligible for workers’ compensation benefits?”
Read on to learn the answer.
Workers’ Compensation for Remote Employees
Regardless if you work in a traditional environment or you are a remote worker conducting your daily duties from home, the biggest factor that determines if you can receive workers’ compensation benefits is whether your injury is truly work-related.
Proving that your job caused your injury can be more of a challenge when working remotely, particularly if you could have sustained the harm at home at any given time when you weren’t working.
Some important questions that can help determine whether your injury is work-related include:
- Was your employer benefiting from your actions when you got hurt?
- Did your employer require you to conduct the injury-causing action?
- Did your employer approve the off-site action beforehand?
Some Examples to Consider
For instance, if you conduct your job in a traditional work environment and you are hurt in the company’s break room while eating your lunch on-site, workers’ compensation will usually cover injuries of this nature because your employer benefits from having you in the workplace while taking your break so that you are more accessible to your team if you are needed while off the clock.
Even if you get hurt on your employer’s premises after you’ve clocked out for the day, you should still be able to receive coverage under the company insurance policy.
When it comes to telecommuting, the same basic premise applies. For example, if you hit your knee on your nightstand when you get up in the middle of the night for a glass of water, you likely won’t be able to recover benefits for such an injury. However, if you can adequately describe how your injury is related to your work, your chances of recovering benefits are likely pretty good.
If you’ve been hurt as a result of your working duties, you may be owed compensation. Don’t delay—reach out to our team right away to learn how we can help.
Call our firm today for a free case evaluation: (605) 777-7466. Choose a team that truly cares about you and your best interests.