Covid-19 (Corona Virus) and Workers’ Compensation
During the Corona Virus crisis, when I see that Amazon is hiring, or so and so grocery hiring, I get scared. When I see that Starbucks or Wal-Mart gave an extra few bucks an hour I know what I’m looking at – hazard pay. Plain and simple, that’s hazard pay.
I’m so happy that the real everyday heroes are getting the attention and recognition they deserve. Law enforcement, truck drivers, stocking clerks, warehouse workers, nurses, home health aides, to name just a few, are so vital to our society. Warnken, LLC has long known this. These are our clients. Always have been and always will be.
But I’m scared for these folks. The world is harsh enough without this brutal disease knocking folks on their ass. Their families have it hard enough without folks – God forbid – dying. I’m scared for the people that make our society run.
Can I Get Workers’ Compensation if I Get Corona Virus at Work?
If we can prove it came from work, you can get workers’ comp for Corona Virus. But please, please, please do not get it. If it’s bad enough that you know you’ve got it and it’s kicking your ass, you’re in trouble. Please protect yourself. If you have to be out there, keep yourself as far away from people as practicable. Please know it can live on surfaces. Don’t touch your face. Keep sanitizer with you and use it often. Know that it can get on your clothes. Figure that everyone you see and deal with has it. This will be, at best, annoying and, at worst, seriously traumatizing. But that’s how you need to look at the world. Don’t get this shit!
Document Possible Corona Virus Exposure
You should document all possible exposures. Inform management or your supervisor. Over include, don’t under include. Create a record. I know, based on my experience, that we will be litigating many cases months and years from now in which a workers’ comp insurer is saying that you didn’t get Corona Virus at work.
Worry most about protecting yourself physically. Beyond that, worry about protecting yourself and your family financially. If you are at risk, write it down. If it isn’t written down, it didn’t happen. If nothing else, keep weekly notes and turn them into your supervisor.
Yea, but I stock grocery. Weekly notes to my supervisor?? What, are you kidding?
No, I’m not kidding. Document, document, document. Worst that happens is you waste a little time and have notes to show your grandkids about what it was like in the time of Coronavirus!
Please stay safe. If you are a religious or spiritual person, please say a prayer. My life will be better if we don’t get a single Corona Virus Workers’ Compensation call.
Warnken, LLC will post other benefits available to impacted workers during this tough time.
I admire your work. We all do.
