The global coronavirus outbreak dominated headlines in early 2020. What started in China spread throughout Asia, Europe, Australia, and the Americas. As of March 7th, the global number of confirmed cases surpassed 100,000, and those who had been exposed to the virus were being asked to self-quarantine.
The global impact of the virus was undeniable. While everyone was concerned about exposure and the physical impact of the disease itself, the outbreak continued to affect the economy in ways that were difficult to predict at the time.
One consequence was an increase in workers’ compensation claims from employees who believed they had been exposed to the virus at work. Medical personnel like nurses and EMTs made up many of these claims, but a significant number of filings also came from workers with substantial public contact.
People who work in service industries like transportation, hospitality, education, restaurants, and retail faced higher exposure risks than office workers, making workers’ compensation claims more likely. Given the legal precedent involving workers suing for exposure to illnesses, employees in these sectors needed to understand their rights and ensure proper protection. If you believe you contracted coronavirus at work, consulting with an experienced workers’ compensation claims lawyer can help you navigate the claims process and protect your legal rights.
What Can We Learn From Past Outbreaks?
In 2016, 6 residents of Kern County, California were killed, and 1905 others were struck with a fungal infection called “Valley Fever”. It was caused by a fungus that lives in the soil in Arizona and California.
About 40 percent of patients with Valley Fever required a hospital stay, which cost an average of $50,000. Workers’ compensation became critical for covering these expenses. In 2016, Kern County saw an increase in workers’ compensation claims from employees who alleged exposure to the fungus at work, particularly among outdoor laborers and construction workers who disturbed contaminated soil.
What Does it Mean for Workers?
In the case of California’s valley fever outbreak, public contact workers were given a better chance at a claim. According to California’s Workers’ Compensation Board: “Industrial Causation was established if the employee’s risk of contracting (the infection) from employment was medically probably or materially greater than from the general public.”
This standard applies to coronavirus exposure at work as well. For workers directly exposed to infected individuals through their job duties—such as healthcare workers, first responders, grocery store employees, and transit workers—establishing a workers’ compensation claim may be more straightforward. The key is demonstrating that workplace exposure was the probable source of infection.
Steps to Take if You Contract Coronavirus at Work
If you believe you were exposed to coronavirus at your workplace, take these important steps:
- Report the exposure to your employer immediately and document the incident in writing
- Seek medical attention and inform your healthcare provider about your occupational exposure
- File a workers’ compensation claim promptly, as Georgia has specific deadlines for reporting workplace injuries and illnesses
- Keep detailed records of all medical treatment, expenses, and lost wages
- Consult with Atlanta workers’ comp attorneys who understand coronavirus-related claims
Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to coronavirus at the workplace should reach out to experienced Atlanta workers’ comp lawyers. The Law Offices of Darwin F. Johnson and Associates can evaluate your case, help gather necessary evidence, and advocate for the compensation you deserve for medical expenses and lost income.
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