The number of employees working from home (WFH) has grown significantly, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. The percentage of people in the U.S. working remotely was 6.5% in 2019. Today, about 35% of employees who can work from home do so full-time. In Ohio, many people living in small towns, not just large metro areas, find WFH arrangements attractive because they can enhance work-life balance and bring job opportunities within reach.
So, if working from home involves sitting in front of a computer, you don’t have to worry about getting hurt, right? Wrong! With the uptick in remote work comes an increase in work-related injuries. We discuss the most common ways you can get hurt working from home and how you can qualify for workers’ compensation if you live or work in the Cincinnati area.
Common Injuries in Remote Work Settings
People working from home tend to spend most of their jobs in front of a computer or screen. This means that illnesses and injuries common among office workers also affect WFH employees. Here are the common occupational risks affecting remote workers:
- Back and neck strains from prolonged sitting and computer and keyboard work
- Lifting injuries from moving boxes or supplies, resulting in sprains, joint and muscle strain, and back pain
- Repetitive motions in hands, arms, or joints contributing to rotator cuff injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tennis elbow
- Slips, trips, and falls in environments with boxes and clutter, poor lighting, loose carpet, and unstable furniture
If you’re a remote worker and must occasionally report to your worksite, you may qualify for workers’ compensation if you’re injured in a car accident to or from your office. Another compensable injury can be slipping on ice in your employer’s parking lot. You might want to ask a local work injury attorney to know what your rights are.
It Matters Where Your Employer is Located
Many Ohio-based companies employ individuals living in Kentucky and Indiana. If you’re one of these workers, Ohio and Cincinnati workers’ comp law covers your WFH injury if your employer is based in Ohio. To avoid leaving anything to chance, check your remote work agreement or contract to be sure your injuries will be covered.
Challenges of Being an Independent Contractor
The state of Ohio considers you self-employed if you’re a freelancer or independent contractor, which makes getting workers’ compensation more challenging. The company or client you contract with isn’t obligated to provide coverage. Therefore, if you want to protect yourself, you must obtain coverage through the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) if you work in the state. This also applies to anyone you hire.
If a company controls your work output and sets your pay but calls you an “independent contractor,” they may have misclassified you to avoid providing workers’ comp coverage and other benefits. Check the details of your work arrangement before you get injured or sick. In some cases, an experienced worker’s comp litigant in your area may help you obtain fair compensation despite the designation the company assigns to you.
Protecting Remote Workers’ Rights After Injury
Getting hurt while performing your duties at home or a job site requires fair compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. If you’re a WFH employee facing resistance to your workers’ comp claim, contact our local experts at Clements, Taylor, Butkovich & Cohen, LPA, Co. We have extensive experience with the BWC, and we understand how important it is to protect the rights of individuals working from home.