What you need to know if you contract COVID in your workplace

What you need to know if you contract COVID in your workplace

As 2021 comes to an end, it is clear that COVID is going to be with us in 2022 – and potentially beyond. Around the country, COVID case numbers are sadly going in only one direction.

For some of us, working from home is not an option. This may mean more people are at increased risk of catching COVID in the workplace. Employers need to ensure that they are taking appropriate steps to protect workers.

It seems as if each day, more is learned about the impacts that COVID can have on our lives, including the growing phenomenon of ‘long COVID’. We know that it affects each person differently, and has the potential to make us very unwell – or worse.

This can include time off work to receive treatment in the short term, as well as medium to longer term consequences, including needing to work reduced hours, or being unable to return to work at all.

If you do test positive to COVID, it can be an extremely stressful time for you and your family. It’s important that you know that you are likely to be able to access workers’ compensation benefits. This blog outlines three key things you should be aware of if you contract COVID at work.

1. You can seek compensation

First things first – If you contract COVID-19 at work, you’re likely to be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits – so you need to treat it like any other workers’ compensation claim. What can you claim? Compensation for workplace injuries covers things like:

· lost wages or medical expenses, and

· potentially a lump sum compensation and damages claim for pain and suffering and/or loss of earnings if you experience ongoing symptoms such as ‘long COVID’.

2. You need to record the details

Like any other workplace injury, it’s important that you notify your employer. This is a specific requirement. Make sure you do this in writing, and include specific details like

· the suspected date of infection

· where you were working that day

· tasks you performed

· symptoms you experienced

· date of testing

· the date you informed your workplace, and

· number of days you were away from work

3. Protect your rights

Need help lodging a claim? Littles can help. We are workplace injury experts and can help you get what you deserve. We know that testing positive to COVID can be scary, and events can move quickly. Your immediate priority will rightly be on looking after your health. Drop Littles an email, DM, phone or telephone call so that we can capture the key details of your infection. That way, if you want to make a claim down the track, we can pick the ball up and run with it.

Don’t delay – seek advice now

Have you contracted COVID in the workplace? Get in touch with Littles for a free initial consultation. We can help you understand what you’re entitled to. Know where you stand, and get peace of mind.

Free advice and no upfront fees

Not only do we offer a FREE initial consultation – we handle most insurance claims on a no win, no fee basis. Sugath Wijedoru is a workers’ compensation expert. If you think you might have a claim, get in touch with Sugath and his team for high quality legal advice.

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