How to claim compensation for workplace accidents when you work remotely
Compensation for when you work from home
With so many businesses adopting new working practices such as complete remote work or the hybrid paradigm, it is of the utmost importance to discuss the aspect of personal injury compensation in this case. More and more employees prefer the flexibility, adaptability and autonomy that remote work offers them. Being able to make your own schedule and planning your tasks based on your time, provided you work to deadlines, is an aspect that an increasing number of employees value significantly.
In the U.K., a large number of British individuals want to keep working remotely even after all coronavirus pandemic restrictions have been lifted, and many want the option of a hybrid work practice. More specifically, 85% of professionals have stated that they would like to work for a company that uses this hybrid approach. Across the ocean, in the U.S., it is expected that the number of people who work remotely will double over the next five years. Given these statistics, there is no denying that remote and hybrid work practices are here to stay.
Given that a growing number of remote workers will increase significantly, it is vital to discuss the aspects that will change since some or all the work will take place remotely, most probably in the individual’s home. Regardless of the location where they perform their tasks, it is crucial to know that workers’ comp still applies, and employees must learn of their legal rights.
Unfortunately, accidents can happen as prepared as you are with preventive measures. So, knowing what to do in case of a work accident is essential. This being said, here’s how to claim compensation and how this applies to remote workers who get a personal injury during working hours.
How does workers’ comp apply to remote workers?
If you are a remote worker and are wondering whether you are eligible for workers’ comp, the short answer is: yes. Whether you work in an office at all times, work remotely or combine offline with online work, you are entitled to claim compensation for a personal accident if you have been involved in an accident during work hours.
Indeed, for some employers, regardless of the type of business they do, and the company they work for, shifting to remote or hybrid work has been a great challenge. This is significantly more challenging for companies that have never dealt with virtual work. But when it comes to ensuring a safe and healthy work environment, there is no denying this is more difficult to accomplish when their employees work from home or other remote locations. However, there are ways to ensure this.
And, in case an accident still happens that results in you getting an injury during work hours, it is vital to know your rights and the fact that as a remote or telecommuting worker, you are covered by workers’ comp. Similar to an office workplace, it is necessary to provide proof and demonstrate that the injury you have sustained has happened during a task you were doing at your job and that the unfortunate incident has occurred during work hours. From an employers’ perspective, they also need to ensure the environment adheres to health and safety regulations, even though there is a limit to this possibility given that the workplace of a remote employee is their home.
How does an employee claim compensation for a remote work accident?
As mentioned earlier, dealing with a workplace accident that happens remotely can be challenging and rather delicate to deal with for both parties – the employee and employer. For this reason, it is of the utmost importance to provide as much evidence as you possibly can if you get injured during work hours in a remote location. It is understandable if this isn’t possible to accomplish in great detail, especially if your injury is quite severe, making it especially difficult to move, let alone gather evidence.
However, in this case, it is recommended to seek help from a family member or friend. A vital and noteworthy mention would be that before you start gathering proof of the accident, you should seek medical attention to make sure your health condition is in good shape and you are properly taken care of. Once this is established, you should focus on getting the necessary proof for claiming compensation.
The process of filing a compensation claim for personal injury can be lengthy, resource and time-consuming, and quite stressful. For this reason, it is crucial to ensure it will go as smoothly as possible. Apart from gathering evidence, you may want to hire a personal injury lawyer who is specialised and highly trained in dealing with compensation claims for remote workplace accidents. So, you could check Personal Injury Claims Care if you are involved in this situation and seek professional support to assist you with your claim. This way, you have better chances of getting fair compensation to cover all expenses and loss of income.
How can employers implement health and safety practices for remote workers?
Some of the most common injuries that can happen in a work-from-home scenario are cumulative injuries and slips and falls. Indeed, it isn’t as simple to ensure health and safety measures are in place when it comes to remote work locations as it is for an official joint physical work environment. But that doesn’t mean it is impossible. So, knowing the most common types of injuries can help employers implement suitable health and safety practices for remote workers as well. This way, both the employer and their employees are protected.
Cumulative injuries refer to the type of employee injuries caused by repetitive movement and prolonged poor postures, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or severe back pains that can trigger serious spine issues. For this reason, as an employer, it is crucial to ensure all your employees who work long hours at a desk use proper ergonomic workstations that support good posture. As a remote worker, this shows the company you work for prioritises your needs and overall safety. This way, employers are also able to retain their valuable employees who work remotely.
