When it comes to the topic of Workers’ Comp & COVID-19 – It’s tricky. As our community adjusts to its “new normal” amidst the continuing COVID-19 crisis, many employees in Charleston, SC have returned to work. Coronavirus (COVID-19) remains a concern for many workers, causing them to wonder if South Carolina workers’ compensation (also known as worker’s comp or workman’s comp) insurance will cover the cost of their medical care and lost wages if they are infected.
The answer is not a simple one. Your eligibility for compensation depends on several factors – and may require the legal advice of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. Hoffman Law Firm is here to help.
During your free consultation here in Charleston area, our team will learn more about your situation and determine whether or not you are eligible for workers’ comp coverage for coronavirus. If you are, we will handle the process from start to finish, working diligently to ensure you get the quality medical treatment and full benefits you deserve.
Can I File a Workers’ Comp Claim For Coronavirus?
Because it’s impossible to definitively conclude where a COVID-19 patient contracted the virus, the issue of workers’ compensation eligibility has come into question.
In general, workers’ compensation is a no-fault system that only requires that a worker was injured on the job. Injured workers are then typically awarded workers’ compensation benefits to cover the cost of their medical care and lost wages.
In the case of coronavirus, according to workers’ compensation laws, a patient must show that they were infected on the job. Proving this link between working conditions and your illness can be tricky, which is why it’s important to have an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer on your side. You may be asked the following:
- Were you at an increased risk of infection because of your occupation?
- If not for your job, would you have been exposed?
- Can you pinpoint a specific instance/source that likely resulted in your illness?
A precedent hasn’t yet been set, considering the novelty of the coronavirus. As the Workers’ Compensation Commission rules on these cases across the state, our attorneys here in Charleston, South Carolina will adapt their approach to ensure our clients receive the benefits they deserve.
Who Is Most Likely to Get Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
Our community’s “front line workers,” as they’ve come to be known, have faced exposure daily while many families have stayed safely at home. Because those keeping us safe, healthy and fed are at an increased risk of infection, their workers’ compensation claims are more likely to result in benefits.
In fact, legislation is currently pending that would grant workers’ compensation benefits to healthcare workers, first responders and corrections officers in South Carolina.
For details on your state’s COVID-19 legislation, click here for more info with NCSL.
Ask A Skilled Charleston Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Near Me, Choose Hoffman Law Firm
As we continue to monitor legislation and executive orders regarding workers’ comp and COVID-19, our team is here to help. Equipped with trusted legal advice about your work-related injury or illness, our Charleston law firm will work hard to get you the workers’ compensation benefits you’re entitled to.
If you believe you contracted coronavirus at work or have suffered a workplace injury in the Charleston area or surrounding regions, call our South Carolina attorneys at Hoffman Law Firm to schedule your free consultation today.
Our personal injury law firm offers trusted legal representation in a wide variety of cases here in the Lowcountry, including:
Other Helpful COVID-19 Related Blogs:
Hoffman Law Firm Serving You & Stopping the Spread of COVID-19
Exposure to Coronavirus in Nursing Homes in Charleston
Pandemic Year Sees Increase in Fatal Car Accidents
Other Helpful Personal Injury Related Blogs:
Can A Personal Injury Case Be Reopened in South Carolina?
Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries in Charleston
Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Personal Injury Claim
Do You Have A Personal Injury Case?
Evidence: Your Personal Injury Case Depends on it
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatal Car Accident
How Social Media Can Impact Your Personal Injury Claim
How Long Does It Take To Settle A Personal Injury Claim in Charleston?
How to Request Changes to an Accident Report in South Carolina
Personal Injury Lawsuit: Definitions of Common Personal Injury Terminology
Maximizing Your Compensation in a Personal Injury Case
Understanding Lost Wages After You Were Injured In an Accident in South Carolina
What Qualifies As Pain and Suffering in a Personal Injury Case?
Who is Responsible for Your Slip and Fall Accident?
Who Pays Your Medical Bills After a Car Accident?
When to Sign a Workers’ Compensation Clincher Agreement
5 Common Mistakes in Product Liability Lawsuits | Product Liability Lawyer Explains
10 Reasons You Lost Your Personal Injury Lawsuit: How To Win Your Next Lawsuit
Article updated as of August 2022
South Carolina COVID-19 Resources:
Vaccine | S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)
COVID-19 | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Disclaimer: Information on this page is sourced from reliable sources including the CDC, NSCL and DOL website. In the event of a discrepancy between the information on Hoffmanlawfirm.com and the website above, please follow the guidance of the CDC and DOL.