Evolving Trends in Work-from-Home Injuries

As experienced work injury attorneys in Southern California, we have helped countless workers in various sectors secure the compensation they deserve. Were you injured while working? Contact Case Barnett Law online to review your legal options. 

Like all legal fields, personal injury law must adapt to the changing times. As evolving trends push more Americans toward remote work, lawyers nationwide are noticing an interesting development: an increase in work-from-home injuries. 

In traditional workplaces, workers who are injured on the job are entitled to workers’ compensation. When workers’ comp isn’t sufficient to cover the full range of an employee’s losses, or when a third party is responsible for the accident, an injured worker may choose to pursue a work injury lawsuit. But who pays for work-from-home injuries?

This article will explore evolving trends in work-from-home injuries, including types of remote work injuries, employer liability, and how a California work injury lawyer can help. 

Are you drowning in debt after a work-from-home injury? Case Barnett Law may be able to help. Call our law office at (949) 409-0055 to explore your eligibility to pursue a lawsuit. 

What Are OSHA Employer Requirements?

Employers are obligated under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and state-specific regulations to ensure a safe, hazard-free working environment. Although the increase in remote work poses unique challenges in compliance and injury prevention, workers may still be entitled to compensation if they are injured or become ill while performing or as a direct result of their work activities. 

Who Suffers Work-from-Home Injuries?

Remote work injuries affect a wide range of workers across various sectors. The impact of work-from-home injuries isn’t limited to any single profession, but some remote workers may be more likely to experience these injuries. Here are a few examples: 

• Office workers. Employees who worked in a traditional office space before transitioning to remote work and who spend considerable work hours on the computer
• Tech industry employees. This includes software developers, IT specialists, and digital marketers who often spend long hours in front of a computer screen due to the nature of their work and the demands of their industry
• Creatives. Creative professionals, such as writers, graphic designers, and similar workers who rely on computers and other digital devices to perform their jobs
• Educators. Teachers and trainers, including educators who have shifted to online platforms and interact with others in a primarily digital environment
• CSR and Sales workers. Sales and customer service representatives, including service workers who spend long hours on phone calls, chatting online with customers, or speaking with clients
• Telehealth workers. This includes therapists, counselors, and certain types of doctors
• Independent contractors. This includes various consultants and freelancers

This is not an exhaustive list but rather a sampling of the types of professionals who could potentially suffer work-from-home injuries. In reality, any type of remote worker can suffer injuries or illness if the demands of their jobs aren’t supported by their home-work environment. 

Types of Work-from-Home Injuries

Many work-from-home injuries are similar to ones that can occur in traditional work environments. However, some injuries that occur during remote work are due to the varied and improvised home-office setups. Here are a few common work-from-home injuries: 

• Musculoskeletal disorders. Injuries include back pain, neck strain, shoulder injuries, carpal tunnel, tendonitis, and more. Many of these injuries result from inadequate seat support, prolonged sitting, non-ergonomic positioning, and unsuitable workstation setups. 
• Eye strain. This condition is also known as Computer Vision Syndrome. It is typically caused by prolonged screen time without adequate breaks, resulting in dry eyes, blurred vision, headaches, and more. 
• Hearing loss or damage. This results from constantly using headphones or earbuds, especially at high volumes. This injury may be more common among people who take part in long, frequent virtual meetings from home. 
• Trips and falls.  These accidents typically involve cables, rugs, or household items in work areas. Remote workers are susceptible to slip and fall injuries when their home environments are not as clutter-free or safely arranged as traditional office spaces. 
• Stress injuries. This often results from poor work-life balance. The inability to disconnect from work may cause chronic stress, which can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and other stress-related health conditions. 
• Mental health issues. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. These mental health problems are often due to increased isolation, lack of support and resources, excess screen time, and difficulties separating work life from home life. 

Although perhaps more complex, employers can support their remote workers in the same ways they do traditional workers. Preventative strategies may include providing education and funding to create ergonomic workspaces, encouraging regular breaks, offering mental health support, and prioritizing safety and wellness among their employees. 

Legal Landscape and Employer Liability

The legal landscape around work-from-home injuries is complex and still unfolding. Employees injured during and as a result of their work are typically entitled to compensation—even when those injuries occur at home. However, it can be difficult to determine what constitutes a work-related injury in a home environment.

California work injury laws are unclear on how work-from-home injuries should be handled, which means that the burden typically falls on employees to prove that their injuries resulted from work tasks. Luckily, they don’t have to do it alone. 

How a Work-from-Home Injury Lawyer Can Help

Remote employees injured during their work responsibilities will likely need assistance from an experienced Costa Mesa work injury attorney to pursue the compensation they deserve. Work-from-home injury lawyers can help with several essential tasks, including the following: 

• Gathering the necessary evidence. Your attorney can collect detailed information about your home office setup, work hours, job responsibilities and duties, and the specific circumstances that led to your injury. This may include medical records, expert opinions, photographs of your workspace, and more. 
• Establishing the connection to work activities. Perhaps most importantly, your attorney will demonstrate that your injury is directly related to your work-related activities. After a thorough investigation, they will make a compelling argument on how your home office setup or work tasks led to your injury. 
• Navigating workers’ compensation and injury claims. A Costa Mesa personal injury attorney will have a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between workers’ compensation laws and personal injury claims and be able to determine whether the employer’s negligence played a role in your injury. 

In addition to these tasks, a dedicated personal injury lawyer will help you understand the full range of your legal options and offer expert legal advice throughout the process. They will communicate with you every step of the way, allowing you to approach your case with confidence and efficiency. 

Case Barnett Law: Dedicated Work Injury Attorneys in Southern California

If you suffered work-from-home injuries due to your job, you deserve compensation. The work injury attorneys at Case Barnett Law can help you explore your eligibility to pursue a claim. Ready to take control of your future? Contact us online to schedule a consultation, or call our law office at (949) 409-0055 today.