How Does Workers’ Comp Work For Remote Employees?

Understanding whether or not remote employees are able to receive workers’ compensation benefits can be confusing, but we want to let you know that it doesn’t have to be. Whether or not a person works from home should not have a bearing on their ability to receive workers’ compensation benefits if they sustain an on-the-job injury or suffer from a work-related illness. However, issues could arise if a remote employee gets misclassified as an independent contractor instead of an employee.

Workers’ Compensation is Likely Available if You’re an Employee

In Nevada, remote employees are generally covered under the state’s workers’ compensation laws, just as traditional on-site employees are. Most likely, injuries for remote workers include repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) from excessive typing, back pain from poor chair and desk ergonomics, and eye strain from prolonged screen time. Mental health issues can also arise due to isolation and the blurred lines between work and home life.

Nevada law provides various types of workers’ compensation benefits, including:

• Medical treatment. Coverage of all necessary medical treatments for work-related injuries or illnesses.
• Temporary disability. Compensation for wages lost during a period where the employee is temporarily unable to work.
• Permanent disability. If the injury leads to permanent impairment, benefits are determined based on the severity and impact on the employee’s ability to earn.
• Vocational rehabilitation. If an employee cannot return to their previous job, they may be eligible for training in new skills.

Steps to Take After a Remote Work Injury Occurs in Nevada

If you sustain a job-related injury while working from home in Nevada, it is important to follow these steps to ensure your workers’ compensation claim is properly handled:

1. Report the injury immediately. Nevada law requires that injuries must be reported to your employer as soon as possible, but no later than seven days after the incident. Delaying this report can jeopardize your claim.
2. Seek medical attention. Visit a medical provider to get a thorough assessment of your injury. Your employer may have a list of approved providers if they have a managed care arrangement.
3. Document everything. Keep timely, detailed records of your injuries and symptoms, treatments you receive, and any correspondence with your employer regarding the injury. This documentation will be essential for your workers’ compensation claim.
4. File a claim. Complete a C-4 form, which you can obtain from your healthcare provider, and submit it to your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier. This form should be filed within 90 days from the date of the injury or the date you recognized the injury was work-related.
5. Follow up. Ensure that your claim is being processed. If there are issues, or if your claim is denied, consider contacting a workers’ compensation attorney who specializes in Nevada law to help you navigate the appeals process.

Complications can arise with any work injury claim, but unfortunately, claim delays and denials are more likely to occur when it comes to remote work on-the-job injuries. A skilled work injury attorney in Las Vegas can walk you through the best options for recovering full compensation for your losses. When you have a skilled legal advocate by your side, you will have someone who can not only communicate with the insurance carriers initially but also handle any appeals necessary.