Injuries can happen anywhere, including your home. If you perform work duties at home and injure yourself, you may wonder if you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Learning how Ohio’s coverage works can help you take the steps necessary to secure compensation.
Understanding coverage for remote workers
Workers’ compensation in Ohio generally covers injuries that occur during the course of employment, though certain factors may limit recovery. These typically include:
Whether your injury arises out of employment
Whether a special hazard of your work-related tasks caused your injury
Whether you received your injury performing a work-related task for the exclusive benefit of your employer
For example, if you trip over your computer cables while rushing to answer a work call, your injury could be covered, depending on the circumstances. You would still need to prove the cable was a special hazard of your employment, rather than a common household risk.
However, if you fall down the stairs while getting a snack during your lunch break, your injury is less likely to qualify. This distinction matters because workers’ compensation often covers injuries that arise due to your work duties, not merely injuries that occur during work hours.
Proving your injury is work-related
Demonstrating that your work-from-home injury is connected to your job can potentially be more challenging than proving an injury at a traditional workplace. It might help to document the incident and the injury carefully. Consider taking photos of the area where the injury occurred and write down exactly what you were doing at the time.
Reporting the injury to your employer as soon as possible may help you secure recovery. Keep records of your work schedule and any communications that may prove you were actively working when you suffered your injury.
The specific circumstances leading to your injury could also determine whether you might be eligible for compensation. Factors such as whether you have a designated work area, what task you were performing and whether your employer provided equipment may play a role in the evaluation process.
Protecting your right to recover
Proving the connection between your job and your work-from-home injury can help you secure financial compensation. If approved, your claim may help you focus on recovering from your injury without worrying about the costs of your medical bills.