THE SITUATION
As COVID-19 spreads across the nation, your employer clients may be confused as to whether it is considered a compensable workers’ compensation disease entitling employees to benefits. The short answer is that influenza or other infectious diseases are not typically covered or accepted under a workers’ compensation claim, with many states specifically excluding disease from a workers’ compensation policy.
The fact is, every interaction employees have with management, coworkers and customers exposes them to risks involving the transmission of any number of common illnesses. Typically, the onset of symptoms or infections won’t materialize right away, but rather after the initial contact at the workplace. This could be anywhere from a few days to a week or longer…
