Working from home does not take away your rights as a Maryland employee. If you sustain an injury while working remotely, you may still qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. In fact, your home address does not change your legal protections as a worker.
Remote work is reshaping employee rights
Remote work means performing your job duties outside a traditional office, usually from your own home. While this arrangement offers flexibility, it has also created confusion around employee rights.
More Maryland employees are working from home than ever before and they are unsure whether they can file a workers’ comp claim after sustaining an injury. Fortunately, Maryland law still protects you, no matter where you perform your job.
Three requirements to qualify for workers’ compensation
Now that you know the law protects your rights, it helps to understand what makes a claim valid. Your injury must meet three key requirements to qualify for workers’ compensation in Maryland.
Here is what you need to show:
- In the course of employment: You were actively performing work tasks when the injury occurred, such as typing at your computer or attending a virtual meeting.
- Arising out of employment: Your work duties or work environment directly caused the injury.
- Compensable injury: Your injury falls under a covered category, such as ergonomic injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, a slip and fall over a work power cord or an injury from retrieving work documents in your home workspace.
However, even with a valid claim, remote workers often face unique challenges when filing for workers’ comp.
Common challenges you may face
Meeting the three requirements is an important first step, but filing a remote workers’ comp claim comes with its own set of hurdles. Here are two common obstacles you may encounter:
- Lack of witnesses: Since you are working at home, there are no coworkers around to confirm that your injury happened while you were actively working.
- Personal vs. work activity: If your injury occurs during a personal break, while doing household chores or during any non-work activity, workers’ compensation will not cover it.
Being aware of these challenges can help you take the right steps to protect your claim.
Don’t let a home office injury ruin your finances
A workplace injury is stressful enough without the added confusion of filing a claim from home. Therefore, understanding your rights is the first step toward getting the financial support you need to recover. While the process can feel overwhelming, you do not have to figure it all out on your own. With the right guidance and a clear understanding of your options, you can take confident steps toward protecting yourself and your livelihood.
