What to Do if Your Workers Compensation for COVID Has Been Denied

If you get COVID-19 at work, you may qualify for worker’s compensation, which would cover time off to recover and any medical treatment required to get over this disease.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted American life at all levels. Even at the peak of the pandemic and restrictions, some people still had to work every day to provide the country with essential services.

If you get COVID-19 at work, you may qualify for worker’s compensation, which would cover time off to recover and any medical treatment required to get over this disease.

However, given the rapid changes COVID-19 has had, some workers might have seen their claims denied and are now wondering what other options they have to cover their medical needs.

How Does Worker’s Compensation Work for COVID-19?

Missouri’s worker’s compensation laws state that you can generally receive these benefits for both injuries and illnesses you’ve sustained at work or because of your work environment.

There are certain exceptions, however. For instance, if work injuries occur on your way to or from work, then worker’s comp does not apply as you are technically not considered on the clock while commuting. Similarly, if your injury occurs while you are taking a break outside of the work environment, again, you are generally not covered by worker’s comp.

In the case of COVID-19, there are several ways a worker can contract it at work:

• From colleagues, their boss, or other members working there

• From clients or other service providers

• From outside their work environment, if their job involves making house calls (such as visiting a client at home

While the law states you should get worker’s comp if you get COVID-19 at work, your application can get denied if the insurance company isn’t convinced you’ve gotten sick from your job.

For example, if they look into your situation and discover your spouse is also positive and has gotten sick before you, they may reasonably assume you got the virus from your spouse, in which case they are not legally obliged to offer you worker’s comp benefits.

Here’s What to Do If Your COVID-19 Claim Was Denied

It can be challenging to identify exactly where you got the virus, which can, unfortunately, lead to many worker’s comp requests getting denied on this alone.

If your claim was rejected, it’s highly recommended that you reach out to a Kansas City workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible. They will ask you about all the details of your case, your job, and when you started getting sick and try to establish a timeline to present to the insurance company.

With an experienced worker’s comp lawyer by your side, you may be able to reverse the claim denial and pay for your medical benefits, time off work, and other benefits you’re legally entitled to.

Don’t assume the insurance company’s decision is final. Find out if you have a case by speaking with an experienced workers comp attorney as soon as possible.