Workplace Contraction of COVID-19

Although many workers have seen their jobs come to a halt due to COVID-19, there are still plenty of hard-working individuals employed by “essential” businesses in the healthcare, grocery, construction & other industries.  While we find ourselves in unprecedented times, the main provisions of the Louisiana Workers Compensation Act have not changed.  If you are injured on the job or have experienced workplace contraction of COVID-19, it is crucial to report the accident to your employer and receive medical treatment with your own choice of physician.  Many physicians are now offering initial office visits via telemedicine so that medical treatment can commence, and a diagnosis can be made while respecting social distancing orders.

If you’ve endured workplace contraction of COVID-19 in Louisiana, the provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act may apply to you as well, and you may have a compensable Louisiana workers’ compensation claim.  While each claim for workers’ compensation benefits is different, there may be difficulty proving that you contracted the virus from the workplace, as opposed to some other area of the general public.  If you have tested positive for COVID-19, however, and believe you contracted the virus at work, it is imperative to report your diagnosis to your supervisor and demand that an accident report and First Report of Injury/Illness be filed as soon as possible. These steps will protect your potential rights, just like any other workers’ compensation claim.