DISCLAIMER: Please understand that every state’s work comp laws are different, and some states may provide coverage for certain injuries that others do not. Please call The Hines & Wilson Law Firm for a free consultation regarding your Missouri workers compensation injury to see if we can help.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many employers are either requiring or allowing their employees to work from home. Telecommuting or teleworking had already become common in many jobs, but with the sudden rise in employees working remotely, the question arises—are you covered by workers’ compensation when working from home? The answer is yes: an employee’s injury or illness is compensable under workers’ compensation if it arises out of and in the course of employment. Your employer may have a telecommuting policy that attempts to limit their liability for home-based employees’ workers’ compensation, but each case will be determined by the unique facts of how and where the injury occurred.
Injuries and illnesses—and occupational diseases like carpal tunnel syndrome–that occur while an employee is working at home, including work in a home office, will be considered work-related if the injury or illness occurs while the employee is performing work at home, and the job duties were the dominant factor in causing the injury or illness, rather than just due to the general home environment or setting. For example, if an employee trips over a power cord in their “home office” or make-shift workspace and is injured, that would considered work-related. But If an employee is injured because he or she trips on the family dog while rushing to answer a work phone call, the claim may not be considered work-related.
Home workspaces likely will not be as ergonomically safe as office settings—using a laptop on the couch, or crammed in between your children’s school projects or partners’ work files—which could lead to ergonomic injuries to the neck or back, or occupational diseases like carpal tunnel syndrome.
If you have been injured at home, or believe you have a repetitive stress injury or occupational disease, you should report it to your employer in writing and request medical treatment under workers compensation.
Whether you work from home or in the office, The Hines & Wilson Law Firm has more than 50 years of experience with workers’ compensation claims. If you’ve been hurt while working, contact us. You can call us at (573) 443-4500, our toll-free number (877) 473-4500, or email us info@hineswilsonlaw.com for a free and confidential consultation about your work comp claim.
