[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/blog\/workers-comp-coverage-impact-remote-work\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/blog\/workers-comp-coverage-impact-remote-work\/","headline":"Increased\u200c \u200cRemote\u200c \u200cWork\u200c\u2019s \u200cImpact\u200c \u200con\u200c \u200cWorkers\u2019 Compensation\u200c \u200cCoverage","name":"Increased\u200c \u200cRemote\u200c \u200cWork\u200c\u2019s \u200cImpact\u200c \u200con\u200c \u200cWorkers\u2019 Compensation\u200c \u200cCoverage","description":"The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed the look of the workplace for countless Americans. More people than ever work from home, but that doesn\u2019t mean that accidental injuries don\u2019t still occur. Many workers who now perform their duties at home face confusion about benefits if they get hurt on the job \u2013 but not in […]","datePublished":"2021-03-25","dateModified":"2023-10-23","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/blog\/author\/asnyder\/#Person","name":"Audrey Snyder","url":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/blog\/author\/asnyder\/","identifier":17,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fe5b00d2d45faef55c74f4c47e45617ceb2e6dfee215c0c7a8b632a35db2d7c9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fe5b00d2d45faef55c74f4c47e45617ceb2e6dfee215c0c7a8b632a35db2d7c9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Ward Black Law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/logo.png","width":116,"height":119}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/workers-comp-work-from-home.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/workers-comp-work-from-home.jpg","height":534,"width":800},"url":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/blog\/workers-comp-coverage-impact-remote-work\/","about":["Workers' Compensation"],"wordCount":984,"keywords":["covid-19","wfh","work from home","workers comp"],"articleBody":"The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed the look of the workplace for countless Americans. More people than ever work from home, but that doesn\u2019t mean that accidental injuries don\u2019t still occur.Many workers who now perform their duties at home face confusion about benefits if they get hurt on the job \u2013 but not in an office or at a job site.If you\u2019ve been injured while working from home, contact the North Carolina workers\u2019 compensation lawyers at Ward Black Law right away. Our award-winning team is ready to evaluate your claim for free and help you seek all the workers\u2019 compensation benefits the law allows.Get a free and confidential initial consultation by calling or texting our office or by reaching out to us online now.Does Workers\u2019 Compensation Cover North Carolina Employees Working from Home?While some employers may try to take advantage of the pandemic to deny employees their due compensation for an injury, your employer\u2019s workers\u2019 compensation coverage should cover employees who are injured while working from home.Workers\u2019 compensation is designed to protect employees who\u2019ve suffered work-related injuries or illness regardless of fault. That includes workers who work in a non-traditional setting, such as their own home.How Does Workers\u2019 Comp Work for Remote Employees in North Carolina?The critical thing to keep in mind when it comes to workers\u2019 compensation coverage for remote employees is that the injury must be work-related for workers\u2019 compensation to apply. In other words, just because an injury happened while you were working from home doesn\u2019t mean that workers\u2019 compensation will pay your claim.To get workers\u2019 compensation benefits for an injury sustained while working from home, you will have to show how the injury was related to your duties.Here are a few questions to consider if you\u2019re trying to figure out whether your at-home injury qualifies you for workers\u2019 compensation:Were you performing a work-related task or otherwise benefitting your employer when you were injured?Were you asked or required by your employer to perform whatever task led to your injury?Did your employer approve of the activity that led to your injury in advance?If the answer to any of these questions is \u201cyes,\u201d there\u2019s a good chance your injury qualifies for workers\u2019 compensation benefits. A few common injuries that people working from home could experience include:Slip-and-fall injuriesNeck and back injuriesBurns or electric shocksIs Workers\u2019 Compensation Required for Remote Employees?The North Carolina Industrial Commission says that any employer with three or more workers must carry workers\u2019 compensation except in a few specific instances. That includes companies that employ people working from home.Many companies had employees working from home before the pandemic. These workers were eligible for workers\u2019 compensation benefits. Even with many more people working from home due to COVID-19, these workers and others who are now working at home remain eligible for workers\u2019 compensation benefits.Businesses often try to get around workers\u2019 compensation requirements by misclassifying workers as \u201cindependent contractors.\u201d However, the North Carolina Industrial Commission has held that just because an employee is labeled as a contractor does not automatically make them ineligible for workers\u2019 compensation benefits.Some \u201cindependent contractors\u201d might be considered employees under state law for the purpose of awarding workers\u2019 compensation benefits, depending on the degree of control the employer has over the employee\u2019s schedule and activities.If you think your employer has unfairly denied workers\u2019 compensation benefits you are rightly owed, you should contact an experienced lawyer right away.How to Make a Workers\u2019 Comp Claim for a Work-From-Home InjuryHere are the steps you should consider if you suffer an injury while working from home:Notify your employer both orally and in writing as soon as possible. Having a record of your injury is an important first step in seeking workers\u2019 compensation benefits. You should notify your employer as soon as you can. Be sure to make a report in writing for future reference. If you can\u2019t make the report yourself because of your injuries, have someone do it for you. This should generally be done within 30 days of the accident.See a doctor as soon you can. Getting prompt medical treatment is vital to minimize the long-term effects of a work-related injury. You\u2019ll have to see the doctor chosen by your employer, but you can often get a second opinion from your own doctor. Be sure to note your doctor\u2019s instructions carefully and follow them exactly.Report your injury to the North Carolina Industrial Commission. You can find the necessary claims forms to report your injury on the NCIC\u2019s website. Make sure you fill out all the required forms carefully and completely.Save your medical bills, receipts, mileage traveling to the doctor, pharmacy bills, and any other records related to your injury. The more documentation you have to support your case, the better. You\u2019ll need to document your injuries to claim your benefits. These records will also come in handy if you need to take legal action against your employer to pursue the benefits you\u2019re owed.Contact an experienced North Carolina workers\u2019 compensation lawyer. Workers\u2019 compensation cases can be complicated. Most people need an attorney\u2019s help to pursue the full benefits they deserve under the law.Let Our Greensboro, NC, Workers\u2019 Comp Lawyers HelpIf you\u2019ve suffered a work-related injury while working from home, contact a knowledgeable North Carolina workers\u2019 compensation attorney at Ward Black Law right away. We know that these are unprecedented times. Many injured workers just like you do not know where to turn for help. Fortunately, our team has the skills, resources, and experience necessary to help you seek all the benefits you are entitled to.Call or text us, fill out a contact form, or chat with us live to get a free case evaluation."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Increased\u200c \u200cRemote\u200c \u200cWork\u200c\u2019s \u200cImpact\u200c \u200con\u200c \u200cWorkers\u2019 Compensation\u200c \u200cCoverage","item":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/blog\/workers-comp-coverage-impact-remote-work\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]