Working from home as a mum allows you to be part of your family’s routine throughout the day. You get to interact with your children during tea and lunch breaks. Of course, work-from-home mums don’t have unlimited sessions with their families but their moments are flexible enough to create and spend quality time with their loved ones. As a parent, you can also save on childcare costs when you work from home.
Inasmuch as remote working comes with many benefits for you and your company, it’s also not free from challenges. For instance, you can still get injured while discharging your duties at home. Unfortunately, many WFH employees don’t have a clear understanding of what they should do in such situations.
So, are you eligible to workers’ compensation in case you’re injured working from home? If so, what should you do after such accidents? This article aims to answer all the questions regarding work-from-home injuries and their legal repercussions. Read on to learn more.
Are you entitled to compensation as a WFH employee?
If you’re part of a work-from-home team, you may be eligible for compensation in case of work-related injuries. Every employer that allows employees to perform their duties remotely must take reasonably practicable steps to ensure that the health and safety of the staff is upheld.
Taking that into consideration, you can claim compensation provided you can prove that you sustained the injuries while on duty. Unlike accidents that occur in a traditional workplace setup, these remote incidents are quite tricky to deal with in a court of law. As such, you’ll need to find reputable and experienced workers compensation lawyers to represent you throughout the process.
That said, here are a few steps you should follow to increase your chances of getting the deserved compensation amount for your damages:
- Report to your boss
For your case to pass the first phase of the legal process, there must be a record of the accident. The best way to ensure that this is officially recorded is to compose an email to your immediate supervisor. Take this opportunity to relay all the details of the accident including how it happened and the injuries you sustained.
If you might need some time off, then you can include the same in the email. It’s always recommended that you follow up with a phone call, but that’s optional since the email already serves as an official report of the incident.
- Seek medical help immediately
The next step towards a proper injury claim is getting medical attention from a licensed doctor. Regardless of the circumstances, your health should always be the priority. So, if you trip yourself and injure your knees or feel a never-ending back-pain, then your physician should be the first person on your list.
If the injuries are visible, you can take photos if possible. For instance, photographs of wounds sustained after a slip-and-fall accident could come in handy during your case. It’s also recommended that you continue taking these photos throughout your healing process. On top of that, make sure the doctor compiles a medical report that you can use as evidence when the legal process begins.
- Collect as much evidence as you can
As mentioned, it can be quite tricky to prove beyond any reasonable doubt that your injuries are work-related. As such, the insurance company’s lawyers have many ways they can use to defend their client against your claims. Your responsibility, therefore, is to seal these loopholes by collecting evidence from the scene of the accident.
You can take photos of the workstation to show what exactly caused the injuries. For instance, if you’re experiencing backpains, then your seat will be the first form of evidence that might strengthen the case.
Keep in mind that the damages can still be compensated even if they were sustained during your tea, lunch, or home workout breaks. You’ll, however, need to prove that a work-related factor played a major role in your accident. (1)
- Contact your lawyer
After following all the steps above, the rest of the process can then be handled by a professional legal practitioner. Contact your attorney and let them know about your situation. During your first meeting, make sure you share all the details so that the lawyer can assess your case.
After this assessment, they’ll let you know if you stand a chance considering all the facts and evidence presented. It’s important to understand this earlier on so you won’t waste your time and money on a case that you’re likely to lose.
Don’t have a workers’ compensation lawyer? You can find one within your city. And make sure they’re up to the task. A good work injury lawyer should have as much experience in the field as possible. They must also be conversant in the law, at the same time communicative with clients. (2)
Conclusion
Working from home as a mum comes with a lot of benefits both for you and your family. But as you enjoy these advantages, it’s imperative to prepare yourself for any shortcomings that may arise. The process of claiming compensation for work-from-home injuries, for instance, should be at the top of your learning priorities.
If you find yourself in such situations, be sure to follow the steps discussed in the article. Although this is still a tricky area in workers’ compensation law, finding the best lawyer will increase your chances of success.
References
- “The Pandemic Of Work-From-Home Injuries.”, Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/04/well/live/ergonomics-work-from-home-injuries.html
- “How A Good Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help Your Case.”, Source: https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-good-workers-comp-lawyer-should-do-you.html
- “Can You Get Workers’ Compensation For A Work-From-Home Injury?”, Source: https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/law-and-life/can-you-get-workers-compensation-for-a-work-from-home-injury/
