This terrible virus that is decimating our city, state and country is posing many new disability and health insurance issues. There will be much uncertainty in the weeks and months to come, but we will be constantly researching ways to protect our client’s healthcare and income during this terrible time.
Our working men and women in healthcare and demolition cleanup continued to put themselves at risk. If a healthcare or construction/demolition worker – or any worker – is exposed on the job to coronavirus and becomes symptomatic, he or she is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits and medical treatments.
In my opinion, a healthcare, construction/demolition worker – or any worker – exposed and quarantined but without symptoms, should be entitled to regular workers’ compensation benefits throughout the time they are unable to work because of the quarantine.
After the tragedy of 9-11, many changes were made in workers’ compensation to protect Ground Zero clean-up workers. I believe what we are going through is of similar significance.
However, it is unclear at this time whether the law will agree with me and cover, with full workers’ compensation benefits, workers who are not symptomatic but are quarantined and unable to work. I will do everything I can to make this happen, and will continue to follow for legal developments.
We are all in this together, and we must do everything we can to protect our working men and women.