There are many ways to ruin your day, like spilling coffee on your freshly washed shirt or running out of gas when you are already running late. But earlier this year, the world came to a giant halt and ruined the whole year. We learned that getting sick at work meant more than just the sniffles. As Covid-19 made its entrance into the US workforce, the state of California acted fast to ensure employees were getting the defense they deserve. Our Los Angeles workers compensation attorneys at the Law Offices of Kropach & Kropach is here to make sure you are protected under this new California bill.
According to the Department of Industrial Relations, on September 17, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsome signed HB1159 which “codifies the Covid-19 presumption created by Executive Order N-62-20 and provides two new rebuttable presumptions that an employee’s Covid-19 illness is an occupational injury and therefore eligible for workers compensation benefits if specified criteria are met”. The first presumption criteria concern firefighters and other healthcare workers, and the second presumption criteria concern outbreak locality. Because Workers Compensation is a no-fault system, it is presumed that your injury was caused at work. It is up to the employer to rebut against your injury. This means your employer gathers evidence to show that they are either not going to pay for most of the injury or any of it.
The new bill encouraged employees to stay home and reduce the spread of the virus by covering those who got sick on the job with worker’s compensation benefits. It also encourages “employers to comply with all local and health directives and guidance concerning safely reopening businesses to reduce the risk of exposure and mitigate outbreaks in the workplace”. The virus is very serious and the effects ripple across our economy.
Our job at the Law Offices of Kropach & Kropach is to ensure that you are getting the compensation you deserve. The virus hits everyone differently. Some people experience minor issues, while others are left hospitalized for days. Worker’s compensation helps to pay for your medical bills, rightful compensation if you cannot work, and loss of future earnings and earning potential should you end in a dire situation.
This virus makes everyone nervous, and rightly so. We are all still learning as we go. Scientists and the medical community are working hard to learn more, but it all takes time. To an employee time means money. Our essential workers are sacrificing their lives and their family lives to keep our society going. If you or a loved one was injured at work or caught Covid-19 at work, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 818-609-7005. Our worker’s compensation attorneys are waiting to hear from you and help you out. There are nuances to these claims, and we are ready to work for you.
