Many people who work from home and telecommute often wonder if they’re still entitled to workers’ comp if they suffer from an injury while performing work tasks. Employees who work remotely in California are covered under workers’ compensation provided by employers. The coverage allows an employee to file a claim no matter the location where they work.
Employers must create a telecommuting policy that outlines the expectations of the employee when they start working from home. Some companies attempt to misclassify employees as independent contractors when they work from home in an attempt to avoid paying for workers’ comp insurance.
How to file a workers’ comp claim
If you’ve suffered from an injury or ailment that is work-related while spending time in your home, it’s important to get a workers’ compensation claim filed. Start by requesting a workers’ comp claim form from your employer. You’ll need to detail how the injury occurred, the type of injury, and the date and time of the accident on the workers’ compensation form.
Submit the official paperwork to your employer to ensure that they forward it to their insurance company. Your employer may be required to help make changes to ensure that you can safely do your job while working from home, such as by providing ergonomic equipment to prevent repetitive stress injuries.
Who can you contact for legal assistance?
If you suffer from a work-related injury, contact a legal professional who has experience in workers’ compensation claims. An attorney may review the details of the case if you have been denied and need to appeal. The attorney may answer your questions and help you navigate the legal process to ensure that the case is resolved quickly.