How has COVID-19 changed workers’ compensation so far?
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The Coronavirus has had an impact on everyone in the world. Many people have lost their businesses, large companies have had mass layoffs, and plenty of people have started to work from home. However, there are some companies that did not shut down for Coronavirus. Some of those businesses, such as grocery stores and healthcare services we’re unable to shut down or social distance. If your employer did not take proper precautions to keep you safe during the pandemic and you got sick, you may be entitled to worker’s compensation.
The likelihood of your getting compensation for COVID will depend upon the kind of work you do. It may also depend on the state that you are in, as different states have enacted different laws pertaining to the virus.
The amount of money that you will receive as compensation may be different than if you were to suffer from another illness or injury at work.
Employers are not fans of workers compensation
Worker’s compensation is generally considered a nuisance by employers. They are required to carry Workers Compensation insurance in order to do business in the state of California. A worker’s compensation claim can be expensive and time-consuming.
If a person is injured on the job, an employer may fear that they will exaggerate their pain and suffering in order to get better compensation. They also have to deal with the fact that they have to keep the position open for an injured person without knowing when that person may be coming back.
Covid has reduced worker’s compensation claims
Because so many people stayed home from work during the pandemic, there actually have been fewer workers’ compensation claims than there normally would be. Many people are also hesitant to file claims against their employers when the future of their jobs is so precarious.
Claims by healthcare workers and retail employees have gone up in the last year. These claims were processed and closed much more quickly than they normally would be.
Technically, the virus has reduced the cost of the average worker’s comp claim. 96% of COVID-19 cases cost around $3,500 as they merely entail an emergency room visit. Unfortunately, the aftermath of the virus can have a severe impact on some patients.
Long term effects of Covid
About 1 in 10 people who have had the Coronavirus face a lingering impact. Some people have experienced neurological problems such as a loss of taste or smell. Some long haulers, as they are called, may experience IBS, heat inflammation, and heart palpitations. If you file a worker’s compensation claim and then end up having after effects, it may be hard to recover money for the medical treatment you will eventually need.
Because people’s bodies react differently to the virus, each Coronavirus claim is unique, which presents a challenge to insurance companies. The long-term effects of any illness may not be immediately apparent. If a person’s conditions go untreated, those conditions may end up becoming more severe, causing their bills to be higher.
Filing a lawsuit
Worker’s compensation was a concept that was originally devised to avoid lawsuits. There are some cases in which you may be able to receive workers’ compensation if you acquired COVID at work. According to worker’s compensation attorney Grossman, there are also some situations in which you may need an attorney to help you fight a Worker’s Compensation claim denial in California.
More and more people are getting the vaccine every day. Our long international nightmare may be ending soon. Until then, it is good to know that workers comp and other forms of insurance can pay for the coverage that we need.
Authoritative sources:
workers compensation attorney Grossman
