Working from home, also called working remotely, has significantly increased in the past several years. If you are a remote worker in Massachusetts, you might wonder if you still qualify for workers’ compensation after a work-related accident, or even question if you can have a work-related accident if you work from home.
The answer is yes, injuries sustained while working from home are generally covered under workers’ compensation laws. As with any workers’ compensation claim, you have the burden of proving you were engaged in a work-related task during work hours.
Some common workplace accidents when working from home
Additionally, although you work from home, your employer still has a duty to ensure your workplace environment is safe. Two common types of injuries that can occur while working from home include repetitive stress injuries and slip and falls.
Repetitive stress injuries are injuries caused by overuse and repetitive movement of a certain muscle or body part. Remote workers are at risk of these injuries from sitting for several hours in uncomfortable work areas.
An ergonomic workstation provided by your employer that helps you sit comfortably, supports your lower back and keeps your hands, wrists and neck from twisting or turning in certain positions helps reduce the chance of a repetitive stress injury.
Your employer may have a policy in place already addressing slip and fall hazards in the workplace. This policy remains in place when your home becomes your workplace.
Wear proper footwear inside your house and keep your work area free of clutter. If you must use stairs to get to and from your home office, keep the area well-lit and do not carry heavy items up and down the stairs.
If you suffer a workplace accident when working from home, prepare for your employer to potentially challenge a workers’ compensation claim, arguing that your injury was not work-related.
The “coming and going” rule
They might also argue the “coming and going” rule that states you cannot receive benefits if you were commuting to or from work. This rule becomes complicated in work from home cases.
Knowing your rights and options is important after a workplace accident, even if your workplace is your home. Every situation is different and having a professional evaluation of your situation is crucial.