Following COVID-19, the view around the remote work model has completely changed. Although the concept was unpopular before the pandemic, it’s part of multiple industries in the private business sector today.
This development has brought about changes in various work policies and laws. However, it has also led to confusion around legal processes such as workers’ compensation claims as the concept was introduced at a time when remote work did not exist.
Luckily, workers’ compensation law firms today learned to navigate this change. Here’s how workers’ compensation works for remote workers.
1. Are Remote Workers Covered?
More than the location, what matters in workers’ compensation claims is whether the employee was hurt performing a task for their company or not. Therefore, compensation claims are still applicable to remote and hybrid workers.
However, laws around workers’ claims vary from state to state; some regions may have different policies for remote workers, so make sure you know the details.
2. What Counts as an Injury?
There are two conditions that a compensation claim must meet; the injury should have taken place during work hours, and the incident should have occurred due to a work-related task.
Meeting these conditions holds the employer accountable since they acted as a contributing factor.
An example of such a case can be developing poor vision due to constant computer usage for work. Another example can be developing back pain due to lack of or poor chair support while sitting for hours for work.
3. Your Employer’s Responsibility to Remote Workers
Knowing when to hold your employer accountable starts with knowing what safety they should be providing beforehand to minimize accidents and injuries.
These measures can include providing ergonomic equipment, having clear communication channels in place so clients aren’t hesitant to report injuries and safety training.
While these measures don’t remove the possibility of an accident, they highlight how much an employer’s sense of responsibility.
Law Offices of Harley Merritt For Remote Comp Cases
Most states offer the same comp claim procedures for in-person and remote workers. The only difference is that lawyers appointed to workers’ compensation for remote workers have to use different strategies to prove the injury was work-related and then earn a claim or settle accordingly.
Are you looking for assistance in a compensation claim as a remote worker? Check out the Law Offices of Harley Merritt.
With over 28+ years of experience, our firm specializes in handling compensation claims across a range of industries, whether you’re a remote employee or not.
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