Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a dramatic rise in the total number of people working remotely. There may be fewer cases, but many organisations still give employees the option of telecommuting. But what if you are hurt on the job and have to work from home?
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In this article, we’ll focus on the distinction between employee and independent contractor statuses as it relates to injuries sustained by remote workers.
Real-Life Employment While Working Remotely
Workers’ compensation insurance is mandatory in the state of Arizona, and almost all businesses with employees are required to have it. Very few cases are outside of this rule. Employees should be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits in the event that they are injured on the job, regardless of whether they report to a physical workplace or not.
When working from home, people open themselves up to a wide range of risks, some of which can be quite serious. A person’s safety is not guaranteed simply because they work from home. Carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive stress injuries are among the most frequent home-based work-related afflictions, and they are all covered by workers’ compensation. Injuries to the eyes, injuries sustained at the home office, problems with one’s mental health, and so on all fall into this category.
It is reasonable to assume that a worker who sustains an injury while working from home can file a claim for damages and get compensation if their case is found to be valid. All medical costs and a sizeable amount of lost pay due to incapacity to work while recovering from an injury are covered in full.
Freelancing or working from home as an independent contractor
People who do their jobs from home are sometimes referred to as freelancers or independent contractors. The number of people working as freelancers for companies and individuals has skyrocketed over the past decade, and many Arizonans who work from home are freelancers themselves.
Workers’ compensation insurance in the state of Arizona does not often extend to self-employed workers. Freelancers and contractors who get hurt on the job must foot the expense of their own medical care. They also won’t be able to collect on their insurance for lost pay if they have to take time off from work to heal.