A bill introduced by Democratic lawmakers would make it easier for teachers and other school officials to receive workers’ compensation in the event they are forced to miss time away from work because they contracted COVID-19.
Similar to when we shared the news that healthcare workers would be able to receive workers’ compensation benefits if they contracted COVID-19 because it would be presumed they contracted it in their line of work, teachers and other school officials may soon be afforded the same benefit. The legislation was introduced by Democratic Rep. Ryan Winkler, which would allow teachers and other school officials to collect workers’ compensation if they meet a new criteria.
Do You Qualify?
Under the law, teachers and other school officials would be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits if they can prove:
- The person is/was employed as a teacher, school administrator, or contracted employee that provides student-related services throughout the year (lunch staff, bus drivers, custodians, etc.).
- The person’s COVID-19 diagnosis was confirmed by lab testing or another official means, like by their treating physician.
If these two factors can be proven, it will be presumed that the individual contracted COVID-19 during the course of their employment, unless the employer or insurer can show that employment was not a direct cause of disease. This will be hard to prove, but don’t expect that to stop a school or insurance company from trying. The text of the bill also says that an individual who does not meet this criteria can still pursue occupational disease benefits if they so choose.
Under its current format, if passed, the bill would apply to anyone who contracted COVID-19 between July 15, 2020 and July 30, 2021.
You can view the full text of the bill by clicking here, and we’ll keep our eyes on the bill as it makes its way towards becoming law. And if you are a teacher or school-contracted employee who has contracted COVID-19, or you meet the presumptive criteria as a healthcare worker, reach out to the experienced legal experts at Hey Workers.
These are unprecedented times, and employees need to be able to collect workers’ compensation if they contract COVID-19 as an essential worker. For more information or to learn if you qualify, reach out to the team of lawyers at Hey Workers today by calling (844) 439-9675.
