Can I Get Workers’ Comp if I Work From Home?

 Posted on July 22,2024 in Workers’ Compensation

Working from home has ballooned in popularity since the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 22 million Americans — or about 14 percent of adults — work from home, while 41 percent do so on at least a part-time basis. By 2025, over a quarter of Americans are expected to work remotely. Remote work is so popular, in fact, that 42 percent of office workers say they would take a 10 percent pay cut just to do so.

This new increase in remote work, however, has also led to increased questions about workers’ compensation. Can you claim compensation for a work injury suffered at home? Is your employer responsible for your safety if you work remotely?

The answer is that your employer may still be liable for certain injuries if you work from home, which this article will explore. If you were injured while working remotely, consult an Illinois workers’ compensation attorney to discuss your legal options.

Is My Employer Responsible for My Work Safety?

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act allows an employee to seek compensation for injuries "arising out of and in the course of his employment." This means that injuries caused by your work can be eligible for compensation. Because you are still considered employed even if you work from home, you may be able to claim workers’ compensation if you suffer work-related injuries.

What Are Some Examples of Remote Work-Related Injuries?

Examples of common remote work-related injuries include:

• Tendonitis, where the tendons connecting the wrist muscles to bones become inflamed due to extended keyboard use

• Carpal tunnel syndrome, where a pinched nerve in the wrist can cause pain and tingling, also due to prolonged keyboard use

• Neck and back pain due to lengthy periods of sitting

• Eye and vision damage due to digital screen use

• Injuries from work-related travel, like in planes or hotels

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) encourages employers to provide their employees with ergonomic equipment to prevent computer-related injuries. This is also the case if you work at home. However, it is currently not mandated for employers to do so.

Can I Claim Compensation for a Remote Work-Related Injury?

You may be able to claim compensation for an injury you suffered while working remotely if you can prove that the injury was directly caused by your employment duties. It is more difficult to prove this if you work from home, but a skilled attorney will be able to build a case if there is sufficient evidence.

Contact a Waukegan, IL Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Because work-from-home injuries are harder to prove, the key to a workers’ compensation claim for a remote employee is to hire a competent Lake County, IL workers’ compensation attorney. The lawyers at Salvi & Maher, LLP have over 85 years of experience representing personal injury clients and have recovered over $300 million in compensation. Let us investigate your injury and we will work hard to maximize your chances of receiving compensation. Call 847-662-3303 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney. Spanish and Korean speakers are available for your convenience.