Over the past few years, remote work has become more popular than it has ever been. Although some organizations are now pushing to get workers back into an office-type setting, many employers now understand the virtues of allowing their workforce to operate remotely when doing so is feasible for the purposes of their business models.
Many workers enjoy remote-work opportunities for a variety of reasons. Yet, even when a working situation is “ideal” from a practical standpoint, no work situation is ever perfect and risk-free. The very act of using the body to engage in whatever tasks are called for is inherently not a risk-free undertaking. And whether you type, talk on the phone, travel, or engage in intricate craftwork as a function of your job, if you work remotely, you are at risk of sustaining occupational injuries remotely.
Knowing your rights
It is important to understand that if you are entitled to workers’ compensation coverage – likely because you are a full-time or part-time employee and you are not subject to any coverage exceptions observed by your state – you remain entitled to pursue these benefits regardless of where you suffer occupational harm. Whether you’re at home, traveling or generally “off-site,” if your harm is work-related, you should be able to receive workers’ comp benefits as a result of your injuries.
With that said, proving that injuries sustained remotely – whether they are acute or cumulative in nature – are work-related can be a challenging task. As a result, it is generally a good idea to seek legal guidance before submitting a workers’ comp benefits application. By working with a legal professional, you’ll be able to better ensure that your claim is sufficiently supported so that you can receive fairly-valued benefits without delay.
