Abstract
The rapid rise of work-from-home (WFH) models, particularly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has necessitated a reevaluation of workers' compensation laws. Ohio's House Bill 447 (H.B. 447), enacted in 2022, attempts to address the increasing likelihood of work-related injuries for remote workers but potentially creates an unbalanced approach that disproportionately burdens employees. This note examines H.B. 447's language, specifically the requirements of "exclusive benefit" and "special hazard," which may prevent legitimate WFH injury claims. By comparing Ohio's approach to more worker-friendly laws in states like Utah and Minnesota, the analysis argues that H.B. 447 should be revised to better reflect the "remedial and humanitarian purposes" of workers' compensation systems. The proposed revisions aim to create a more equitable framework that balances employer concerns about premium rates and frivolous claims with workers' needs for protection, recognizing that remote workers are not machines and deserve reasonable compensation for work-related injuries.
Recommended Citation
Speer, Tyler
(2024)
"Working Through the Dangers of the Work-From-Home Model and Workers' Compensation: Employer Liability for Remote Work Injuries,"
Akron Law Review: Vol. 57:
Iss.
1, Article 5.
Available at:
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/akronlawreview/vol57/iss1/5