What to Do If You Are Injured While Working From Home as a Federal Employee

Handling Injuries While Telecommuting as a Federal Employee

More and more people are shifting to remote work, including those employed by the federal government. But, work-from-home schedules come with their own set of risks and considerations. What if you’re injured on the job? Are you still covered under FECA? The short answer is: sometimes. Compensation is only available if the injury occurs while performing official work duties. If you experience an injury while performing work duties from the comfort of your home, reach out to Aumiller Lomax. We have years of experience with federal workers’ compensation cases throughout the United States, and we may be able to help you as well. Discover the procedure for filing federal workers’ comp for remote work injuries and find out how we can assist.

Understand Your Rights and Coverage

Federal employees, regardless of work-from-home status, are covered by the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). However, being at home during work hours is not enough by itself. You must be actively performing work-related duties at the time of injury. This law provides benefits to all civilian employees of the United States should they be injured while performing job duties. Here are some examples of workplace injuries that could be sustained while telecommuting for federal work:

• Repetitive Strain Injuries—These injuries are caused when repeated physical movements lead to damage to tendons, nerves, muscles, and other soft body tissues. Specific examples include carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis.
• Back and Neck Injuries—Prolonged sitting without proper back support, especially on non-ergonomic chairs, can lead to chronic back and neck pain.
• Eye Strain—Spending long hours in front of computer screens without adequate breaks can lead to eye strain, headaches, and vision problems.
• Stress-Related Injuries—The blurred lines between work and home life can lead to increased stress levels, potentially resulting in hypertension, anxiety, or depression.

What to Do After an Injury

If you sustain an injury while working at your remote job, it’s important to take proper action. Following the right steps will increase your chances of compensation and streamline the federal workers’ comp process for injuries during telework. Take these steps after an injury:

• Seek Medical Attention—Your health comes first. If the injury is serious, contact emergency services or visit a doctor immediately. Save all documentation pertaining to your injury.
• Notify Your Supervisor—Once you’ve received necessary medical care, inform your supervisor about the incident. Delays might complicate your claim in the future.
• Document Everything—Record the details of the incident, including the time, the nature of the injury, and how it occurred. If there were witnesses, be sure to have their contact information. Photographs of the injury and where it occurred can also be beneficial.
• File for Workers’ Compensation—Federal employees need to fill out the appropriate forms to receive compensation. Your employer should provide these forms, and Aumiller Lomax can help with ensuring everything is completed properly.

Challenges and Limitations for Work-From-Home Employees

Unfortunately, handling injuries while telecommuting as a federal employee is often more complex than traditional claims. Despite the challenge, Aumiller Lomax is here for you. We’ll help you better understand the difficulties and limitations work-from-home employees may need to deal with, and our legal counsel will ensure you can navigate them. Keep these challenges in mind as you consider your case:

• Providing Proof—Proving that the injury occurred during work-related activities can be challenging when working from home. However, taking special care to preserve evidence should strengthen your case. OWCP will not apply the ‘personal comfort doctrine’ for remote workers. Activities like getting coffee, taking a walk, or stepping outside may not be covered.
• Workplace Pressure—There may be pressure to return to work before you are ready. Don’t let your boss or co-workers sway you—focus on your recovery and follow your doctor’s advice.
• Deadlines—Federal compensation programs are complex and have numerous deadlines. Keep track of these deadlines to prevent unnecessary delays.

Reach Out to Aumiller Lomax Today

Injuries are the last thing anyone wants to think about, especially when working from home. However, if you find yourself injured while carrying out your federal duties at home, you’ll be glad to know the proper steps and procedures for protecting your rights. The team at Aumiller Lomax is here to ensure you have adequate representation as you pursue your claims. We have decades of experience in federal workers’ compensation, and our clients come to us from all over the United States. Don’t put off filing a claim—get in touch with us today.