When On-the-Job Injuries Happen While Working From Home
Find out what you need to know about job-related injuries that happen while working from home and your rights to workers’ compensation benefits in Florida.
Workers’ compensation protects employees when on-the-job accidents and injuries happen. An important and increasingly common question today concerns situations in which job-related injuries do not occur in the workplace, but instead at home and among remote or hybrid workers. Find out common work-related injuries that can happen at home and how to protect your rights to workers’ compensation benefits.
Job-Related Injuries Among Remote and Hybrid Workers
According to Microsoft’s Work Trend Index, up to 70% of employers currently provide remote opportunities to workers. 66% are redesigning workplaces to accommodate hybrid workers, who perform tasks from home at least part of the week.
The shift to remote and hybrid work raises concerns when it comes to accidental injuries and workers’ compensation benefits. Under the Florida Statutes, employees are entitled to compensation when injured on the job or in the course of performing work-related tasks. This applies to accidents that happen during business travel, as well as incidents among home workers.
Common ways in which injuries can happen at home and make remote and hybrid employees eligible for workers’ compensation benefits in Florida include:
- Slip and fall accidents, which can result in broken bones and injuries to the back, neck, or head;
- Repetitive stress, in which repeatedly performing certain types of tasks cause damage to joints, ligaments, or other body parts;;
- Overuse, such as muscle strains, strains, and tears due to heavy lifting;
- Poor workplace ergonomics, resulting in eye strain, headaches, and soft tissue injuries.
Protect Your Rights to Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Benefits provided through the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) can cover the cost of your medical care, reimburse you for lost wages, and provide long-term disability payments in the event your injuries leave you unable to work or perform certain tasks on your job.
Remote and hybrid workers need to be aware of what to do when an accidental injury happens at home to protect their rights to benefits:
- Notify your supervisor immediately;
- Note the exact time, date, and what you were doing when your accident happened;
- Take photos or videos of the accident site and your injuries;
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible;
Follow doctor instructions regarding treatment and work or activity restrictions. Be aware of situations in which a claim is likely to be denied or disputed. This is common in cases where you were not performing work-related tasks or when unsafe conditions at home are directly responsible for your injuries.