MENUMENU
  • About Us
  • Business Insurance
        • General Liability Insurance
        • Workers' Compensation Insurance
        • Commercial Property Insurance
        • Errors & Omissions Insurance
        • Cyber Liability Insurance
        • Hired and Non-Owned Auto Liability For Small Business
        • Directors & Officers Insurance For Small Business
        • Key Person Insurance For Small Businesses
        • License Bonds For Small Businesses
        • Fidelity And Surety Bonds For Small Businesses
        • Employment Practices Liability Insurance For Small Businesses
        • Excess Liability (Umbrella) Insurance For Small Business
        • Professional Liability Insurance For Small Business
        • Media Liability Insurance For Small Businesses
        • Commercial Auto Insurance
        • VIEW ALL
  • Employee Benefits
        • Group Health Insurance
        • Group Dental Insurance
        • Group Vision Insurance
        • Group Life Insurance
        • Group Short-Term Disability
        • Group Long-Term Disability
        • VIEW ALL
  • Who We Insure
  • Resources
  • Blog
Get A Quote
Log In
Get A Quote
Log In
888-242-4675
MENUMENU
  • About Us
  • Business Insurance
        • General Liability Insurance
        • Workers' Compensation Insurance
        • Commercial Property Insurance
        • Errors & Omissions Insurance
        • Cyber Liability Insurance
        • Hired and Non-Owned Auto Liability For Small Business
        • Directors & Officers Insurance For Small Business
        • Key Person Insurance For Small Businesses
        • License Bonds For Small Businesses
        • Fidelity And Surety Bonds For Small Businesses
        • Employment Practices Liability Insurance For Small Businesses
        • Excess Liability (Umbrella) Insurance For Small Business
        • Professional Liability Insurance For Small Business
        • Media Liability Insurance For Small Businesses
        • Commercial Auto Insurance
        • VIEW ALL
  • Employee Benefits
        • Group Health Insurance
        • Group Dental Insurance
        • Group Vision Insurance
        • Group Life Insurance
        • Group Short-Term Disability
        • Group Long-Term Disability
        • VIEW ALL
  • Who We Insure
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • InsureYourCompany.com
  • Blog
  • Workers Compensation
  • Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Employees Who Contract COVID-19?

Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Employees Who Contract COVID-19?

Dan Levenson October 13, 2020

contract covid-19
Workers Compensation

Workers’ compensation benefits provide employees with protection for work-related injuries and illnesses. In most states, workers’ compensation insurance is required by law. 

COVID-19 exposure is a new concern in the workers’ compensation realm, and it is not always clear if employees who contract Covid-19 are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.  The answer depends on the state where you are located, the line of work you are in, and how it was contracted.

How Workers’ Compensation Works

Each state has its own policies regarding COVID-19 and workers’ compensation coverage. Generally, workers’ compensation benefits pay for medical care necessitated by a work-related injury or illness and pays a portion of an employee’s regular work wages while the worker is out. 

Work-Related Injuries and Occupational Illnesses

In most cases, work-related injuries are easier to assess than work-related illness. Work-related injuries include burns, cuts, strains, sprains, repetitive motion conditions, broken bones, and the like. Workers’ compensation benefits cover a broad range of such injuries and most cases receive approval if a medical professional confirms the injury. 

Occupational illnesses are those that result from exposure to working conditions.  They often include lung disease, respiratory illness, and cancer.  The important factor is whether the illness results from work duties or exposure at work.  For example, if you work in a coal mine and develop black lung, it is highly likely the condition is work-related. 

However, it is often difficult to prove that a common illness, such as Covid-19, the flu or a cold, resulted from exposure at work.  

COVID-19 as an Occupational Illness

Many jurisdictions are extending workers’ compensation coverage to include workers whose essential job function requires exposure to COVID-19. 

For example, under New Jersey law an “essential employee” who contracts Covid-19 is presumed to be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.  This means that in New Jersey, essential employees like hospital workers, public safety officers, and grocery store workers are usually entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if they contract the virus. 

If an employee is not an essential worker or lives in a state without a law like the one in New Jersey, then the employee may need to prove they contracted the virus in the course of their employment before workers’ compensation coverage will apply.  

Contact Us for Insurance Coverage

To stay compliant with the law most businesses need workers’ compensation coverage. InsureYourCompany.com assists businesses in their search for the most affordable and suitable insurance policies. We have been in business for nearly 20 years and have helped thousands of businesses. 

Whether you are a new business or looking to reduce your premiums, contact us with your questions about workers’ compensation. We will explain the benefits your business needs and provide a free no-obligation quote. 

 

Get a free business insurance quote today!

Need business insurance?

Get a free business insurance quote today!

Subscribe To Our Blog

  • Stay up to date with the latest insurance news and business advice from InsureYourCompany.com!

Business Insurance

  • General Liability Insurance
  • Workers’ Compensation Insurance
  • Errors & Omissions Insurance
  • Excess Liability Insurance

Employee Benefits

  • Group Health Insurance
  • Group Dental Insurance
  • Group Vision Insurance
  • Group Life Insurance

Business Insurance

  • General Liability Insurance
  • Workers’ Compensation Insurance
  • Errors & Omissions Insurance
  • Excess Liability Insurance

Employee Benefits

  • Group Health Insurance
  • Group Dental Insurance
  • Group Vision Insurance
  • Group Life Insurance

Small Business Resources

  • Business Insurance Blog
  • Get a Free Insurance Quote
  • Schedule an Assessment
  • Insurance for Businesses 101

InsureYourCompany.com

225 Gordon’s Corner Road, Suite 1H
Manalapan, New Jersey 07726
888-242-4675
Privacy Policy | HIPAA Policy | Contact Us
Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Copyright © 2023 - InsureYourCompany.com, powered by Technology Insurance Associates LLC

Custom website design and development powered by the New Possibilities Group.

888-242-4675
Get a free quote