Top Three Injury Claims for Remote Workers

Written by Tanya Waterworth, Digital Content Writer

About Our Legal Expert: This content is produced with oversight by Michael Jefferies, Managing Director who has over 30 years’ legal experience.

The Main Causes of Injury Claims Among Remote Workers

Remote or hybrid working has become a permanent fixture and along with it a surge in injury claims – so what are the top three injury claims for remote workers. Remote or hybrid working offers flexibility, comfort, and the freedom to skip the daily commute. But working from home has seen claims linked to poor workstation setups and long hours spent in makeshift home offices. While remote work may feel safer than traditional workplaces, it still exposes workers to physical injuries which can even lead to long-term health issues.

Among the most common problems, back pain, eye strain, and neck pain stand out as the top three injury claims made by remote workers in England and Wales. These injuries often develop gradually, but their impact can be significant, affecting productivity, wellbeing, and overall quality of life.

1. Back Pain: The Leading Cause of Remote Work Injury Claims

Back pain has become the number one complaint among remote workers. Many people shifted to home working without proper ergonomic equipment during the Covid pandemic. Dining chairs, sofas, and even beds became temporary offices, and those temporary setups have now lasted for several years.

Why Back Pain Happens at Home

Back pain often develops because of:

• Poor posture during long working hours
• Chairs without lumbar support
• Screens positioned too low or too high
• Lack of movement throughout the day
• Repetitive strain from awkward seating positions

Remote workers frequently sit for longer periods than they would in an office. Without the natural breaks that come from commuting, walking to meeting rooms, or chatting with colleagues, the spine absorbs more pressure and strain.

How Back Pain Becomes a Claim

Back pain becomes a potential personal injury claim when it results from an employer’s failure to meet their legal duty of care. Even when employees work from home, employers must ensure that workstations are safe and suitable. This includes carrying out risk assessments, providing guidance on ergonomics, and supplying appropriate equipment where necessary. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has recently highlighted that home employees should be protected like any other office-based employee.

If an employer neglects these responsibilities and the worker develops back pain as a result, the worker may have grounds to pursue  compensation.

2. Eye Strain: A Growing Problem in the Digital Workplace

Eye strain, often referred to as digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome, is another major issue affecting remote workers. With meetings, emails, and tasks all happening on screens, workers spend more time than ever staring at digital devices.

Why Eye Strain Is So Common

Eye strain typically develops due to:

• Prolonged screen time without breaks
• Poor lighting or glare
• Incorrect monitor distance
• Small text or low screen resolution
• Switching between multiple screens

Symptoms can include headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, and difficulty focusing. Over time, these issues can affect concentration and productivity, and in severe cases, they may even lead to chronic discomfort.

When Eye Strain Leads to a Claim

Employers must take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of eye strain. This includes:

• Providing Display Screen Equipment (DSE) assessments
• Offering guidance on screen breaks
• Ensuring workers have suitable equipment
• Reimbursing the cost of eye tests where required

If an employer fails to carry out these duties and a worker develops significant eye strain as a result, the worker may be entitled to make a personal injury claim. 

3. Neck Pain: The Silent Companion of Poor Posture

Neck pain is another leading cause of injury claims among remote workers. It often goes hand‑in‑hand with back pain, but it deserves attention in its own right because of how debilitating it can become.

Why Remote Workers Develop Neck Pain

Neck pain usually stems from:

• Looking down at a laptop for long periods
• Cradling a phone between the ear and shoulder
• Poorly positioned monitors
• Lack of ergonomic equipment
• Tension from stress or long working hours

When the neck is held in a forward‑leaning position, the muscles and ligaments work harder to support the head. Over time, this strain can lead to chronic pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

Neck Pain and Employer Responsibility

As with back pain and eye strain, employers must assess the risks associated with remote work and neck pain. If they fail to provide proper guidance or equipment and a worker develops neck pain as a result, the worker may have grounds to pursue compensation.

Although we have focused on the top 3 injuries – back pain, eye strain, and neck pain – it’s worth briefly acknowledging hand pain. Repetitive typing, poor wrist positioning, and unsupported forearms can all contribute to development of repetitive strain injury in the hands and wrists.

When Can a Remote Worker File a Personal Injury Claim?

Remote workers can file a personal injury claim when their injury results from an employer’s failure to meet their legal duty of care. Working from home does not remove the employer’s responsibility to protect employees from foreseeable harm.

You may be able to make a claim if:

• Your employer failed to carry out a proper risk assessment for your home workstation
• You were not given guidance on safe home working practices
• You were denied essential ergonomic equipment
• Your employer ignored reports of discomfort or requests for support
• Your injury developed because your workstation was unsafe or unsuitable

What You Need to Show

To make a successful claim if you’ve suffered an injury while working at home remotely, you generally need to demonstrate:

• You suffered an injury (such as back pain, eye strain, or neck pain)
• The injury was caused or worsened by your work setup
• Your employer failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the injury

Evidence can include medical records, photographs of your workstation, emails requesting support, and notes from occupational health assessments.

Time Limits for Remote Work Injuries

In most cases, you have three years from the date of the injury—or the date you first became aware of it—to start a claim.

Protecting Yourself While Working from Home

While employers have legal responsibilities, workers can also take steps to reduce the risk of injury:

• Adjust your chair and screen height
• Take regular breaks
• Use ergonomic equipment
• Follow DSE guidance
• Report discomfort early

These actions not only protect your health but also strengthen your position if you later need to make a claim.

Contact Our Team

Remote work offers many benefits, but it also brings new challenges. Back pain, eye strain, and neck pain are now among the most common injury claims made by remote workers in the UK. These injuries often develop slowly, but their impact can be long‑lasting.

If your employer has failed to support you with a safe home working environment, you may be entitled to pursue a personal injury claim.

We can guide you through the next steps of making a claim.

Call us at 0333 358 3034 or visit Jefferies Claims Contact Page to discuss your potential claim in a free, no-obligation consultation.