The State of Connecticut has lowered its number of coronavirus cases dramatically. This is due to social distancing and people wearing masks out in public. As businesses continue to reopen, your employer may need you to come back to work. Unfortunately, doing so could increase your level of exposure to COVID-19. If you contract the virus, then you may have the option of filing a workers compensation claim. Below, we discuss how to prove your employer was responsible for your COVID-19 infection.
Could I Potentially File a Workers Compensation Claim?
Typically, workers compensation claims involve physical injuries such as spinal cord injuries. However, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that life-threatening viruses are also covered under the states’ workers compensation laws. Thus, you could potentially receive workers compensation after contracting COVID-19 at work.
Burden of Proof in a Coronavirus Workers Compensation Case
However, you must prove your injury or illness occurred within the scope of your employment. This is a difficult bar to meet. Your employer can argue it is impossible to determine whether you contracted the virus at work. You could have contracted the virus at many places outside the scope of your employment.
A Hartford workers compensation lawyer will help you find the evidence you need to meet this burden of proof. This evidence may include the following:
- Discovering a number of employees have contracted the virus
- Learning that your employer failed to adopt state and federal safety standards
- A lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) on the job
Contact a Hartford Workers Compensation Attorney
Have you contracted the coronavirus after returning to work? Find out if you are eligible to recover workers compensation from your employer. A Hartford workers compensation attorney will help you review your legal options. For a free consultation, contact the Polinsky Law Group LLC at (860) 253-2729. You can also complete the online contact form on our website. Our attorneys help file workers compensation claims statewide. Call today to receive help from our award winning and experienced attorneys.