A growing number of Rhode Island residents are working from home. For many, this is a convenient alternative. However, there might be questions about what happens if they are injured on the job and seek workers’ compensation benefits.
Remote workers and workers’ compensation
Working from home has grown exponentially. With that, people are wondering if they can be approved for workers’ compensation if they are injured. Independent of whether they are at home or onsite, an injured worker can seek workers’ compensation.
The objective is to provide for injured employees so they can receive medical benefits, wage coverage and rehabilitation. The fundamental requirement for benefits is that the injury happened during the course of employment.
A remote worker who has work-related items at home and is injured while using them could apply for workers’ compensation benefits. Examples of potential work-related injuries that can occur in the home is a person slipping and falling, suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, being involved in an auto accident while transporting work-related items back and forth, and mental conditions due to stress.
If the worker was injured in a way that had nothing to do with the job and stemmed from behaviors that would not have happened had they been onsite, then they could face obstacles with the claim. That includes drinking alcohol while working.
Circumstances are key
As with any workers’ compensation claim, it is imperative to gather evidence and prove that the injury occurred while the employee was performing work-related duties. Since this is an increasingly common issue, it is wise to be prepared.