While many Pennsylvanians have been urged, and even forced, to stay home as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), employees classified as “essential workers” across the state continue to report for duty day in and day out, despite the risk factors of this highly contagious virus.
Fortunately for these workers, if they contract COVID-19 in their workplace, they may be entitled to collect Workers’ Compensation. Per the Department of Labor & Industry, if you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19 in your workplace you may be eligible for Workers’ Comp by either:
- Notifying your employer to file a typical “disease-as-injury” WC claim, which requires you to provide medical evidence that you were exposed to COVID-19 in the workplace.
- Notifying your employer to file an “occupational disease” WC claim, which requires you to show that COVID-19 is occurring more in your occupation/industry than in the general population (health care workers, for example).
Just like all other Workers’ Compensation claims – claims must be thoroughly reviewed and decided upon the facts and merits of the claim.
Workers Compensation is a complex area of the law and having expert workers’ compensation legal help is the only way to guarantee you will be receiving any and all benefits owed to you. There are many petitions involved throughout the claim process that can hurt your claim and even cut off your benefits if you don’t know the time restraints and rules for each.
Contact the Pisanchyn Law Firm’s excellent Workers’ Compensation attorneys for free consultation if you or a loved one has contracted COVID-19 at your workplace. Not only will we protect your rights, we will give you free advice and representation for your workers’ compensation claim up until a petition is filed. We will also take the time to educate you on all areas of the Worker’s Compensation system so you know what to expect and what to do when certain situations come up. Call 1-800-444-5309 now.
