Ergonomic Injuries From Remote Work and the Legal Options Available to Employees
Over the years, remote work has increasingly transformed how many individuals complete their work. Dining room tables, couches, and laptops have made it possible to work from home conveniently. With this flexibility and ease comes an increase in physical injuries among many individuals. Oftentimes, those working from home spend long hours sitting or typing in the same positions develop chronic pain conditions that affect the following:
- Neck
- Back
- Shoulders
- Wrists
- Hands
As a result of these injuries, individuals may be eligible to pursue additional legal counsel beyond workers’ compensation.
Common Work-From-Home Ergonomic Injuries
Ergonomic injuries are injuries that stem from an individual’s body mechanics, posture, and muscle strains from their work environment. Common ergonomic injuries include the following:
- Lower back pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Neck injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Tendinitis
- Tennis elbow
Neck and Upper Back Strain
“Tech neck” is a term referring to a condition that develops when an individual is continuously looking down at a laptop or phone. This often occurs during remote positions as individuals are in the same position for multiple hours of the day. If an individual does not fix their posture or their positioning when working, the following can occur:
- Chronic neck stiffness
- Shoulder pain
- Headaches
- inflammation of the muscles
- Reduced range of motion
Lower Back Injuries
Surfaces such as beds or couches are often harmful to one’s back. These are areas where individuals usually work from home; however, they do not provide spinal stability and cause strains and muscle pains in the lower back. When individuals ignore their symptoms, injuries can worsen and turn into chronic health conditions over time. Employees who work from home usually experience the following:
- Sciatic nerve pain
- Persistent pain in the lower back
- Muscle spasms
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Wrist Injuries
Carpal tunnel syndrome has increased over the years as remote work has become more popular. Constant typing and mouse use can strain nerves in the wrist, causing the following to occur:
- Tingling in the fingers
- Numbness in the fingers
- Hand weakness
- Dropping object
- Burning sensations in the palm
- Nighttime pain
When individuals ignore these symptoms and do not seek medical attention, damages in the nerves may become a chronic health concern.
Why These Injuries Happen at Home
Oftentimes, individuals who go into the office for work utilize chairs and keyboards made specifically for their jobs. These include the following:
- Adjustable chairs
- Ergonomic keyboards
- Wrist supports
- Monitor stands
In contrast, individuals who work from home usually will stay in the comfort of their beds or lounge on the incorrect type of chairs, oftentimes for the entirety of the work day. These cause physical injuries to develop over time and can lead to chronic health concerns in the future.
Workers’ Compensation and Its Limits
Workers’ compensation usually acts as the first route to take for a job-related injury. Workers’ compensation may cover medical care and a portion of lost income. However, many remote workers face difficulties when filing claims because ergonomic injuries usually develop gradually over time from the constant strain on one’s muscles rather than from a single event. As a result, insurance companies will question whether the injury developed from events related to work.
When Claims May Exist Beyond Workers’ Compensation
In certain situations, additional claims may be considered if another party contributed to hazardous work conditions, including the following:
- Defective office equipment supplied by a third-party manufacturer
- Chairs, desks, or keyboards that are faulty
- Insufficient safety guidance or training
- Inadequate workstation setup by a contracted company
Proving an Ergonomic Injury
Proving an ergonomic injury can be a challenging process as it develops over time. Clear documentation is often needed to ensure that insurance companies understand that the injuries developed from one’s work. The following is documentation that can be useful for proving an ergonomic injury:
- Medical records
- Reports to supervisors expressing their discomfort
- Photos of the workstation
- Work hour logs
- Physical therapy evaluations
Steps to Take After Symptoms Appear
Employees experiencing discomfort should not ignore their symptoms. When individuals disregard the signs or symptoms presented to them, they often cause their injuries to worsen and become chronic health concerns in the future. The following are the steps to take when symptoms of pain or discomfort occur:
- Seek medical evaluation and follow treatment recommendations
- Notify your employer in writing about the symptoms
- Document workstation setup with photos and videos
- Keep records of work hours and tasks
- Change your position when working once the symptoms appear
Why Legal Guidance Can Matter
Seeking legal guidance can help prevent injuries from getting worse and causing further pain in the future. Remote-work-related injuries can become a challenging process to deal with as insurance companies try to minimize individuals’ claims of how the injuries occurred. Understanding your options when experiencing work-related injuries is crucial to helping keep you safe.
How KAASS LAW Can Help
At KAASS LAW, we understand that constant stress injuries from remote work can greatly affect an individual’s daily life. Ongoing pain from muscle strains may interfere with sleep, concentration, and the ability to continue to produce adequate work. At KAASS LAW, our experienced personal injury attorneys will help you understand the legalities of your case and allow you to have the peace of mind to make a healthy recovery. If you or a loved one has developed neck, back, or wrist injuries while working remotely, you may wish to speak with a legal professional to better understand your options. Call KAASS LAW today.