Last Updated on April 29, 2026 by tanya

Top Remote Work Injury Claims

 

About Our Legal Expert: This content is produced under the oversight of Michael Jefferies, First Personal Injury Director, who brings over 30 years of legal experience.

Written by Tanya Waterworth, Digital Content Writer

Leading Injury Claims for Hybrid or Permanent Home Workers

Remote work has become a part of working life for many employees across England and Wales, here are some of the top remote work injury claims. While employers have been faced with productivity issues regarding remote and hybrid working, kitchen tables, spare bedrooms and living rooms have been turned into workspaces. However, while working from home offers flexibility, it has also introduced a new set of workplace injury risks.

Many people assume that if they are injured while working from home, they cannot bring a personal injury claim. However, that is not necessarily true. Employers still owe a duty of care to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of their employees, even when they are working remotely.

 

Top Remote Work Injury Claims for Compensation

With the ‘working from home’ trend, several physical health conditions are now regularly reported by remote workers. The three most common are:

• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Eye strain

Understanding how these injuries develop and when they may lead to a claim for compensation can help remote workers protect both their health and their legal rights.

 

1. Back Pain: The Most Common Remote Work Injury

Back pain is widely considered the most frequent complaint among the top remote work injury claims. Many home workstations were never designed for full-time use, and improvised setups may quickly lead to poor posture.

Common causes of back pain when working from home include:

 

• Sitting in non-ergonomic chairs such as dining chairs or sofas
• Working at improper desk heights
• Lack of lumbar support
• Remaining seated for long periods without breaks

 

When posture is poor for extended periods, it places pressure on the spine and surrounding muscles. Over time, this can lead to:

 

• Muscle strain
• Stiffness and reduced mobility
• Chronic lower back pain
• Aggravation of existing spinal conditions

Quick Tip:

Take short stretch breaks every hour to relieve pressure on your lower back. Make sure your chair supports your lumbar spine, sit with feet flat on the floor, and adjust your desk or monitor height so you’re not slouching. If possible, use a dedicated office chair instead of sofas or kitchen chairs.

 

Employers in England and Wales are expected to take reasonable steps to minimise these risks, even for home workers. This may involve:

 

• Conducting workstation risk assessments
• Providing ergonomic guidance
• Supplying appropriate office equipment, such as adjustable chairs or monitor stands

If an employer fails to address obvious risks or ignores requests for suitable equipment, and a worker develops a back injury as a result, there may be grounds for a personal injury claim.

 

2. Neck Pain Caused by Laptop Use While Working From Home

Neck pain is another issue commonly reported by people working from home. Unlike traditional office environments, many remote workers rely heavily on laptops placed on dining tables, kitchen counters or other temporary workspaces.

Because laptop screens are attached to the keyboard, they typically sit much lower than eye level. This forces workers to tilt their heads downward for long periods while reading emails, attending video calls or completing tasks.

Over time, this repeated posture can place strain on the cervical spine and surrounding muscles.

Remote workers experiencing neck strain may notice symptoms such as:

 

• Persistent neck stiffness
• Shoulder tightness
• Headaches after prolonged screen use
• Reduced range of movement in the neck

 

These symptoms often develop gradually when workers spend several hours each day using poorly positioned screens.

 

Quick Tip:

Take a 5-minute break every hour to stretch your back, neck, and shoulders. Raise your laptop or use a riser so the screen is at eye level. Consider an external keyboard to reduce strain on your wrists and shoulders.

 

Employers still have responsibilities to help reduce these risks for staff working remotely. Practical measures may include:

 

• Providing guidance on safe home workstation setups
• Advising workers to keep screens at or close to eye level
• Recommending the use of external keyboards or laptop risers
• Encouraging regular breaks from screen-based tasks

 

Where an employer fails to provide appropriate guidance or ignores concerns about unsuitable home working arrangements, prolonged laptop use may contribute to a neck injury. In some situations, this could form part of a remote work injury claim.

For more detailed information on neck injuries in the workplace, including causes beyond remote working and guidance on making a claim, see our full guide on work-related neck pain claims.

 

3. Prevent Eye Strain While Working From Home

Eye strain has become increasingly common as remote workers spend most of their day looking at digital screens.

Video meetings, online documents and constant messaging mean that employees may spend many hours without giving their eyes a break.

This can lead to a condition often referred to as digital eye strain.

Typical symptoms may include:

 

• Blurred vision
• Dry or irritated eyes
• Headaches
• Difficulty focusing
• Sensitivity to light

 

Although these symptoms may appear minor initially, persistent eye strain can significantly affect comfort and productivity.

 

Quick Tip:

Consider using anti-glare filters or blue light glasses if you spend long hours on video calls or digital documents.

 

Employers should take steps to help remote workers reduce the risk of eye problems. These steps may include:

 

• Encouraging the 20-20-20 rule (looking away from the screen every 20 minutes)
• Providing guidance on screen brightness and positioning
• Ensuring employees know about their entitlement to eye tests

 

In some cases, employers may also need to contribute to the cost of specialised glasses required for display screen work.

If employers fail to provide appropriate guidance or ignore repeated complaints about eye strain, and the condition worsens, a claim may potentially arise.

 

Wrist Pain: Another Growing Remote Work Issue

While back pain, neck pain and eye strain are the most frequently reported problems, wrist pain is another issue affecting many remote workers.

Typing and mouse use for long periods can place strain on the wrists and forearms, particularly when workstations are poorly arranged

 

Starting a Remote Work Injury Claim

If a remote worker believes their injury was caused by poor home workstation setups or lack of employer support, taking clear, timely steps is crucial:

 

Top remote injury claims – Quick Advice:

• Seek medical attention immediately – get a doctor’s assessment and record your symptoms.
• Document your workstation and work patterns – take photos, keep emails, and note any risk concerns you reported.
• Know your time limit – in England and Wales, most personal injury claims must be started within three years from the date of injury or awareness of the injury
• Consult a specialist solicitor – they can advise on whether your employer may have breached their duty of care and help pursue compensation if appropriate.

 

Remote Work Still Requires a Safe Workplace

The shift toward remote working has changed where work happens, but it has not changed the responsibility employers have to protect their staff. In fact, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently issued a release advising employers that they have the same health and safety duties for home workers as for office-based staff.

Back pain, neck pain and eye strain have quickly emerged as the three most reported remote work injuries, often caused by poorly designed home workstations and prolonged screen use.

When employers fail to assess risks or provide appropriate support, these issues can develop into long-term health problems. In some cases, that failure may give injured workers the right to pursue a personal injury claim.

As remote and hybrid work continues to shape modern employment, maintaining safe and ergonomic home work environments will remain essential for both employees and employers alike.

Reaching out to a trusted claims company can make a considerable difference for the road ahead. We partner with experienced work injury lawyers who operate on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis.

We will ensure you receive all the support you need. Call us at 0333 358 2345 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation.