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What COVID-19 Means to You As An Essential Worker

Alexander D. Napolin, Esq.

Are There Any Protections In Place For Our Workers?

What COVID-19 Means to You As An Essential Worker

Those who continue to work through a pandemic are taking a risk that is appreciated by their community. However, some do not have a choice but to take part in this risk. From bills to childcare, many must continue working to stay on top of their financial obligations. What does COVID-19 mean for these workers? And are there any protections in place that would reduce their risks?

According to an OSHA publication “Worker Exposure Risk to COVID-19,” many common jobs are subject to an exposure risk ranking from medium to high. This includes jobs that operate within schools, high-population-density work environments such as offices, and high-volume retail settings such as grocery stores. Since these jobs are so common, a large portion of our population and workforce are more likely to contract the virus than those who have the luxury of staying home.

Recently, California Governor Gavin Newson issued an executive order intended to ease some of the consequences of this pandemic. The order includes  provisions which allow adults to obtain marriage licenses via videoconferencing; waive eligibility re-determinations for Californians who participate in Medi-Cal; suspend face-to-face visits for eligibility for foster care; and permit In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program caseworkers to continue caring for older adults and individuals with disabilities through video-conferencing.

Most notably, the recent executive order allows for essential workers who tested positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of performing work duties at their place of employment after the stay-at-home order was issued, to be presumed eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. This eases some of the burden placed on our front-line workers by making it less difficult to obtain workers’ compensation benefits. Recovery from COVID-19 can be a costly and time-consuming process, resulting in expensive medical bills and lost wages from the time spent away from work. Workers’ compensation allows for a more direct path toward physical and financial recovery.

How A Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help

If you or a loved one contracted COVID-19 on the job, and decide to file a workers’ compensation claim, your employer may decide to challenge it by arguing that the worker contracted the virus somewhere other than the place of work. Our team at Napolin Accident Injury Lawyer is experienced in these matters. We know exactly what steps to take to obtain a just settlement for our clients, and to minimize the stress associated with this process. Call today or visit our website to request a free consultation with one of our attorneys. Our essential workers are what keeps society functioning during a time of such uncertainty and unrest, we find it important to value them and protect their rights.

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