Does Workers’ Comp Cover Covid-19 Affected Employees?

The Covid-19 outbreak has changed the world and the way we looked at the world. The novel coronavirus and its spread have put mankind into a grave situation. Amidst this problem, what happens with workers’ comp? The cities are locked down, people are maintaining social distancing, and work-from-home policies are implemented across the world wherever possible. The industries are facing severity of this outbreak than anything else. With the growing concern, many workers are worried about their health and the infection risk they may face at their workplace.

Covid-19 and Workers’ Compensation

The states affected by this outbreak have closed down the schools, restaurants, bars, pubs and other crowd pulling places. Many of the business owners have changed their way of business. Now we think if this comes under the workers’ comp.

This is still not known whether the Covid-19 exposure will make the workers qualify under the Workers’ Compensation Law. But it may qualify as an occupational disease, accidental hazard or it depends on the available facts. As per the instructions, the workers should stay at home if they are sick but they may lose their earnings. This financial gap may tempt them to report at the workplace. The business owners are looking into it to check if the compensation policies can help in this condition.

There is another perspective. How has the worker contracted the disease is an important aspect to check for the compensation claim. In most of the cases the virus exposure is not considered as a workplace injury. The workers’ comp is meant for the injuries that occurred in the course of the employment. If an employee was not infected while at the job, the compensation claim would be denied. When the exposure is a result of work, the claim must be approved.

Some of the employees who work in a condition with high chances of getting infected would get the compensation claim. The employees working in the sectors like medical labs, test labs, medical officers, doctors, nurses, clinics, first responders will get this compensation. The organizations should take enough precautions to minimize the risks of exposure.

If you need to have a clear idea about this compensation, you can reach us at Foshee and Yaffee. Call us for any of your queries regarding workers’ comp in OKC. You meet us also once our city returns to the normal life again. Let’s fight together against this tough time of mankind.

**Disclaimer: This content is not to be construed as legal advice nor does it establish terms of a client-attorney relationship.