Can you receive workers’ comp after a work-from-home injury?
Many people assume that working from home often feels safer than commuting to an office. However, injuries can still happen during a normal work shift from home.
A sudden neck pain might build up after hours at a computer, leaving you worried about medical bills. If you were hurt while working remotely, you might wonder whether you qualify for workers’ compensation. Knowing this could help you make more informed decisions about what comes next.
Remote work injuries sometimes qualify for benefits
If you are a remote employee, you may still receive workers’ compensation protections. However, you may need to prove how closely the incident connects to your job duties. If the accident happened while you were performing assigned tasks, the claim may receive closer review.
In some cases, remote-work injuries connected to those duties may qualify for benefits. For example, repetitive strain from typing or physical pain tied to an unsafe workstation setup may support a claim. A fall while retrieving work materials from a home office area may also qualify for workers’ compensation when the injury happens during assigned tasks.
In New Hampshire, workers’ compensation generally provides medical coverage and 60% of lost wages after more than three missed workdays. State guidance also says most employers with workers must carry workers’ compensation insurance.
Understanding what could strengthen a remote injury claim
Work-from-home cases often depend on stronger documentation. A prompt report can help establish when the injury happened. Other small details, such as your emails or time logs, can also be significant.
They could help show the tasks you were handling before the incident happened. Keeping these records makes it easier to respond to questions about how the injury occurred. Waiting too long to notify an employer may create scrutiny during the claim review process.
Reporting the injury quickly after gathering relevant evidence could help protect your claim. Legal guidance can help you organize records, track deadlines and respond to questions during the review process.