Blog

Are You Covered by Workers’ Compensation Benefits When You Are Working from Home?

With more and more people working from home due to COVID-19, we have seen an uptick in questions about whether or not workers’ compensation covers them when they are working from home. The answer can be a bit complex. Keep reading to get the basics, and feel free to contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 if you require a free legal consultation.

The Most Important Things to Know About Workers’ Compensation

The first thing to do is understand what workers’ compensation is and what it covers. It is a no-fault benefit insurance process that covers an employee if they are injured on a work site or while working – even if they are at fault. This coverage is in place when a person is performing duties related to their job or as requested by their employer – no matter if it happens in an office or in your home.

Finally, it is important to know that workers’ compensation covers medical costs and a percentage of lost wages. The good news is that you can get coverage as soon as the claim is approved, and it is generally not a drawn-out process. However, it does not cover pain and suffering and other non-economic damages, and it does not cover your total lost wages.

Differences in Coverage When Working from Home

While you should be covered by workers’ compensation even when you are working from home, that coverage might look a little different. For example, if you were at your office and you slipped on a puddle in the bathroom, tripped over a phone cord, or cut yourself on broken glass in the break room sink, you would be covered by workers’ compensation in most cases.

If you are at home and those injuries occur, it might be different. For example, if you slipped on a puddle in your own bathroom, then you cannot claim worker’s compensation. In short, you cannot claim workers’ compensation for an injury that happened while you were working at home unless the injury occurred while you were doing your work. To ask if your injury qualifies, you can ask yourself three questions:

  1. Was your employer benefitting from what you were doing at the time of the injury?
  2. Were you taking part in an activity that your employer required at the time of your injury?
  3. Did your employer approve the activity that injured you before the injury occurred?

If you can answer “yes” to any of these questions, then it is likely covered by workers’ compensation. If you cannot answer “yes,” then it is likely not covered. The best way to get a solid answer is to talk to a personal injury attorney who specializes in workers’ compensation cases. Contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.