New regulations in 18 states now explicitly extend workers compensation coverage to remote employees injured while working from home, clarifying a legal gray area that has existed since the pandemic.
What's Covered
- Ergonomic injuries: carpal tunnel, back pain from poor setup
- Trip and fall: tripping over work equipment at home
- Eye strain: from prolonged screen use for work
- NOT covered: injuries during personal activities even during work hours
Employers should ensure remote workers have ergonomic assessments and documented home office setups. Workers should report any work-related home injury immediately to preserve their claim rights.
