Covid-19 workers’ compensation for medical office workers

As many states are shutting down non-essential businesses during the current coronavirus pandemic, these states are designating medical offices, such as doctor’s offices, dentist’s offices, and physical therapists, as essential services that can stay open during stay-at-home orders. As a result, medical office workers must continue to come into contact with members of the public in the course of treatment, potentially being exposed to someone with coronavirus, especially if that person isn’t displaying symptoms.

Although many coronavirus infections result in mild to moderate cold- or flu-like symptoms, a sizable portion of those who are infected with the virus do develop complications that require hospitalization; some develop complications severe enough to land the patient in the intensive care unit or on a ventilator. As a result, coronavirus and the disease it causes, COVID-19, can put people at risk for permanent respiratory damage or even death.

With medical office workers continuing to provide critical ongoing care to the public, these workers need to know their rights to workers’ compensation benefits in the event they are infected with coronavirus on the job. 

Related blog: Covid-19 Workers’ Compensation For Nurses

The Risk of COVID-19 Infection for Medical Office Workers

Medical office workers can be at a moderate to high risk of coronavirus infection, as they come into direct contact with many members of the public, some of whom are coming into medical offices because they are ill, though not necessarily sick with COVID-19.  In addition, the risk for medical office workers is increasing as personal protective equipment like gloves and masks are prioritized for hospital workers treating COVID-19 patients, decreasing supplies for medical offices. 

Can Medical Office Workers Receive Workers’ Compensation for a COVID-19 Infection?

As employees, medical officers workers may be entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits for a coronavirus infection acquired at work. In order to have a claim for benefits, a medical officer worker must establish that their infection arose out of the course and scope of the worker’s employment.  An illness will be deemed to arise from the course of employment when an employee is exposed to the virus while undertaking activity for the benefit of his or her employer.

Contact a Clark Workers’ Compensation Lawyer to Discuss Your New Jersey Workplace Injury Case

As the coronavirus crisis continues to worsen in New Jersey, medical office workers continue to report to work despite the increase of contracting the virus from infected patients. Under New Jersey’s workers’ compensation laws, a medical office worker who is able to prove that they were infected as a result of their exposure at work may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits that helps them cover the cost of medical treatment, replacement pay if they are unable to work and a cash award if the virus results in permanent injuries or loss of function. 

If you are a medical office worker who believes you have contracted the Covid-19 virus as a result of your exposure at work, you need an experienced and highly-skilled workers’ compensation attorney to present your case to the employer, their insurance company, and the court. At Team Law, our workers’ compensation attorneys and support staff will use their decades of experience to make sure that you get each and every benefit available under the law should you contract the Covid-19 virus as a result of selflessly caring for infected patients. Our workers’ compensation attorneys are available 24/7 to discuss your concerns and answer your questions during this daunting and unprecedented medical crisis, so don’t hesitate to give us a call at (732) 540-1394. Our main office is located at 136 Central Avenue Clark, NJ 07066 and we also have offices in West New York, Edison, Summit, Perth Amboy and Jersey City, NJ. 

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.