It is common knowledge that the state requires your employer to pay for workers’ compensation benefits if you sustain injuries in the office because of work. But what happens if you sustain an injury while working from home or outside the office?
You should still be eligible to receive workers’ compensation on the condition that the injury is work-related.
Compensable and noncompensable injuries
The California Labor Code states that it is illegal for a physician or medical facility to bill you if the injury was a product of your work for your employer’s benefit. It does not matter if you were in the office or not.
Your employer should compensate you if the injury occurred while:
- Going on a business trip
- Driving a company vehicle
- Taking a client out to dinner
- Running errands for your employer
- Attending a company party or social function
- Overusing a certain body part for work causing carpal tunnel syndrome, back pains or repetitive strain injury
You might not be able to receive compensation if the injury occurred while you were:
- Having your lunch break in the office
- Drinking alcohol or taking any other chemical substance
- Inflicting any form of self-harm
- Committing a crime
- Violating any of the employer’s policies
There is still a chance for you to receive workers’ compensation if you were breaking only minor rules while engaging in typical and unremarkable office roughhousing or horseplay. Even more so if your employer allows and accepts such behavior despite office policies.
Workers’ compensation is your right as an employee
With the workforce adapting to work-from-home situations, learning the scope of your benefits is significant. Always remember that if any work you do aggravates, triggers or causes illness or injury, then you should receive workers’ compensation benefits without question. File your claim as soon as you feel any symptoms. Get the care you need and deserve.
