Qualifying for Workers' Compensation If You Telecommute

With the internet getting faster every day, workplaces all around the United States are making great strides in reducing the need to commute to the office. Because of this, some employees never physically see their place of employment. This provides a wide variety of benefits for both the employer and the employee. But telecommuting can also be a source of confusion when it comes to protecting some of the employee’s rights. A good example has to do with workplace injuries and worker’s compensation – what exactly is covered?

Worker’s Compensation

The biggest misconception when it comes to worker’s compensation is that the accident or injury needs to happen in the workplace for it to count. This is simply not the case – injuries that occur while carrying out a task, even day to day work, could qualify for worker’s compensation. Be it physical labor or office labor, injuries can result from tasks that require repetitive, over-exertion, neck injuries, back injuries and more.

Documenting Your Injuries

Worker’s compensation claims are different when an employee is telecommuting – because there are no other employees to witness the injury and its effects, the injured party will have to fend for themselves. This entails keeping a concise and organized set of documents regarding the injury and its effects as well as when it occurred and how. If there were any witnesses present, their statements could help, as well as records of any medical attention that has been sought.
Seeking out assistance from the human resources department, if available, can also help. They may even provide specific instructions for how to carry out a claim. Of course, many workplaces may not file the documents properly or worse – may want to immediately deny compensation claims. This is where a worker’s compensation lawyer could help.
If or a loved one is a telecommuter who has been injured while working, you may be eligible for compensation for your injuries. Contact the law offices of Lombardi and Lombardi today to schedule your case evaluation.
 
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney/client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.