Can You Receive Workers’ Compensation if You Work Remotely?
Yes. Remote employees may still be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits if they are injured while performing work-related duties from home. The key factor is whether the injury occurred while furthering the employer’s business, rather than during a personal activity. Because remote work injuries can be more difficult to document, it’s important to report the injury promptly and clearly explain how it was work-related.
Workers’ Compensation Coverage for Remote Employees
Many people assume workers’ compensation benefits only apply to employees who work in an office, warehouse, construction site, or other traditional workplace. However, Pennsylvania workers’ compensation laws generally apply to employees regardless of where they perform their work.
As remote and hybrid work arrangements have become more common, workplace injuries occurring at home have become increasingly important in Pennsylvania workers’ compensation cases.
If a remote employee is injured while performing job-related duties, they may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, including medical treatment and wage-loss benefits.
Course and Scope of Employment for Remote Workers
The most important issue in a remote work injury case is whether the employee was acting within the course and scope of employment when the injury occurred.
Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits are generally available when an injury occurs while an employee is furthering the business or affairs of their employer.
Simply being at home during work hours is not enough to establish a workers’ compensation claim. Instead, the focus is on what the employee was doing when the injury occurred.
Challenges in Remote Work Injury Claims
Remote work injuries often present unique challenges because there are typically no coworkers, supervisors, or on-site witnesses available to verify what happened.
As a result, insurance companies frequently scrutinize remote work injury claims more closely than traditional workplace accidents.
This makes it especially important to:
- Report the injury immediately
- Explain how the injury occurred
- Make clear that the injury was work-related
- Seek prompt medical treatment
- Document the circumstances surrounding the accident
Early reporting can help avoid disputes regarding whether the injury occurred while performing work duties or during a personal activity.
Injuries That May Be Covered While Working From Home
Many work-from-home injuries may qualify for Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits if they occur while performing job duties.
Examples may include:
- Tripping while answering a work phone call
- Carrying work equipment
- Setting up a home office workstation
- Moving between work areas while performing job duties
- Injuries sustained during virtual meetings or work-related tasks
In some situations, courts have found that injuries occurring while moving through a home may be compensable when the employee was actively engaged in work activities at the time.
Injuries That May Not Be Covered
Not every injury that occurs at home qualifies for workers’ compensation benefits.
Generally, injuries sustained while performing personal activities are not covered.
Examples may include:
- Household chores
- Personal errands
- Yard work
- Showering or grooming
- Other activities unrelated to work duties
Even if an injury occurs during normal working hours, workers’ compensation benefits may not be available if the employee was engaged in a personal activity rather than a work-related task.
Reporting a Work-From-Home Injury
If you are injured while working remotely, report the injury to your employer as soon as possible.
When reporting the injury, clearly explain:
- What happened
- When it happened
- What work duty you were performing
- How the injury occurred
Providing these details early can help establish that the injury occurred within the course and scope of your employment and may reduce the likelihood of a claim denial.
Talk to a Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Remote employees have many of the same rights as employees who work in traditional workplaces. If you were injured while working from home, you may still be entitled to Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits.
At Stern & Cohen, we help injured workers throughout Philadelphia and Pennsylvania pursue the medical treatment and wage-loss benefits they deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
FAQs
Does a work-from-home injury have to happen during work hours?
Not necessarily. While timing can be important, the primary issue is whether the employee was performing a work-related activity when the injury occurred.
What if there were no witnesses to my remote work injury?
Many remote work injuries occur without witnesses. Reporting the injury promptly, seeking medical treatment, and documenting what happened can help support your claim.
Can I receive workers' compensation if I fall while answering a work call?
Potentially. If the injury occurred while performing a work-related duty, such as answering a work call or handling employer business, it may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.
Are remote workers covered by Pennsylvania workers' compensation laws?
Yes. Pennsylvania employers are generally required to provide workers’ compensation coverage for eligible employees, including employees who work remotely.