Partner at Charbonnet Law Firm LLC
Practice Areas: Car Accident, Personal Injury
Working from home does not mean you lose your right to workers’ compensation. If you get hurt while working, you may be eligible for benefits under Louisiana law.
But what if you fall while getting papers for a meeting? What if your back starts hurting after long hours at your desk? Can you still file a workers’ compensation claim if you work from home?
Yes, you may be able to. It depends on how the injury happened and whether it is linked to your job.
Yes. Louisiana workers’ compensation laws can cover employees who work from home. Under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 23:1031, an injury must arise out of and occur in the course of employment. This means the injury must be linked to your job and happen while you are doing work-related tasks.
For example, you may trip over a cable while setting up your work computer. You may also hurt yourself while moving equipment your employer asked you to use. These injuries may qualify for benefits.
However, getting hurt at home during work hours does not guarantee coverage. If you fall while cleaning your kitchen during a break, the injury may not be covered. What matters is the link between your injury and your job.
A home office may seem safer than a busy workplace, but injuries can still happen.
Here are a few examples:
Not every injury will qualify for workers’ compensation. Your employer or its insurance company may need proof that your job caused or contributed to the injury.
This can be harder to show when the pain develops over time instead of starting after one clear accident. Medical records and details about your work duties may help support your claim.
Tell your employer as soon as you can after getting hurt. Do not wait for the pain to get worse. Louisiana Revised Statutes § 23:1301 applies notice rules to work injuries. In many cases, you should report the injury within 30 days. Exceptions may apply, depending on the situation.
A written report can help you document what happened. Include the date, time, and details of your injury. Explain what work task you were doing when it happened, and save a copy of your message.
You should also get medical care when needed. Tell your healthcare provider how the injury happened and what work tasks you were doing. These details may help if your claim is questioned later.
If your workers’ compensation claim is approved, you may receive help with medical bills and lost income. Louisiana law provides different benefits depending on your injury and how it affects your ability to work.
Under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 23:1221, each benefit type has its own rules. For example, temporary total disability benefits generally equal two-thirds of your average weekly wage, subject to legal limits.
The amount you receive, if any, depends on your case. Your medical condition, work limits, and wages may all affect your benefits.
When an injury happens in an office, a coworker may see what happened. At home, no one may have witnessed the accident.
Your employer or its insurer may ask what you were doing when you got hurt. They may also ask whether the injury happened at work or during a personal activity.
You can help support your claim by keeping useful records. These may include:
These records don’t guarantee your claim will be approved, but they may help explain what happened.
A denied claim does not always mean the matter is over. First, find out why they denied the claim. Your employer or insurer may say the injury wasn’t work-related or that there isn’t enough proof.
Keep copies of the denial notice, medical records, and any messages about the injury. You may also want to speak with a workers’ compensation attorney about your options under Louisiana law.
Acting quickly can help you understand what steps may be available in your case.
Possibly. The injury must be linked to your job. Being at home during work hours is not enough on its own.
They may be. If repeated work tasks cause or contribute to a wrist injury, you may qualify for benefits. Medical evidence and the details of your work matter.
Not usually under the same rules as employees. However, a person’s legal status depends on the actual working relationship, not just the title in a contract.
Keep your records and ask why they made that decision. A workers’ compensation attorney can help you understand whether you have grounds to challenge it.
A work injury can leave you worried about medical bills, lost wages, and what to do next. Working from home can make things more confusing when your employer questions how the injury happened.
If you have questions about your rights, Charbonnet Law Firm can help you understand your options. Contact the firm to discuss your situation.
With over 50 years of legal experience serving families in the New Orleans area and surrounding Louisiana communities, our firm takes pride in providing clients with personalized legal services tailored to individual needs.
