On February 26, 2020, the first Covid-19 case was detected in the State of California. Since then, over 11 million Californians have been infected with Covid-19, many of these being our State’s essential workers. Studies tell us that almost 1 in every 4 Covid-19 patients is affected by “Long Covid,” also known as “Long haul Covid,” which can last for months after the initial infection. If you were suffering from Long Covid and were infected with Covid at the workplace, you may have questions regarding your rights to Worker’s Compensation benefits. Please continue to read this blog if you have questions or concerns regarding your Long Haul Covid Worker’s Compensation case. Additional questions can be addressed to the highly qualified Worker’s Compensation attorneys at Eason & Tambornini.
What is Long Covid?
Long Covid symptoms are a wide range that can last weeks, months, or even longer after the initial Covid-19 infection. Some of these symptoms can include:
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Chest Pain
- Cognitive Dysfunction
- Shortness of Breath
Those affected by Long Covid may experience these and other symptoms for weeks or months after their initial infection. These symptoms can vary widely and do not reflect the severity of the initial Covid-19 illness. Seeking medical treatment for these issues is necessary to recover and potentially obtain Worker’s Compensation benefits.
How Has Covid-19 Impacted Californians?
In California, 11 million people have been infected with Covid-19. It is estimated that 1 in 4 of those 11 million will experience Long Haul Covid symptoms. Here are some vital statistics to keep in mind when discussing Covid-19:
- 11.3 million Californians have been infected
- 96,320 Californians have died from Covid-19 infections
- Los Angeles County has the highest number of Covid-19 cases, with 3.47 million cases
- In California, 82 million Covid-19 vaccines have been administered
Can I Obtain Worker’s Compensation Benefits for my Covid-19 or Long Covid infection?
As of April 2020, Covid-19 can be considered a “workplace injury.” A workplace injury is an injury or illness suffered by an employee in the course and scope of employment. To obtain Worker’s Compensation benefits for Covid-19, you must prove that your infection occurred at work and that you were at higher risk of becoming infected than the general public. While Worker’s Compensation generally covers Covid-19, Long Covid can be a bit more difficult to obtain benefits. Naturally, if you are not actively treating your Long-haul Covid symptoms, many insurance companies will not pay benefits. You must prove that your symptoms reflect your initial at-work covid infection while maintaining consistent medical care for your symptoms. In 2021, the DHS confirmed that the Americans with Disabilities Act, also known as the ADA, does apply to disabilities caused by Long Covid. With this in mind, employers must provide reasonable accommodation for those employees suffering from Long Covid symptoms.
If you have been infected with Covid-19 while at work and are now suffering from Long Covid, you may have questions about your benefits rights. As we discussed in this blog, the symptoms of Long Covid can cause some to become disabled or affect their ability to work. Millions of Californians have been infected by Covid-19 since 2020, and millions of these people are potentially suffering lengthy infections of Long Covid. Suppose you have been affected by Long Covid while at work and have questions about your benefits rights. In that case, the workers’ compensation attorneys at Eason & Tambornini are ready and available to provide you with a no-cost consultation regarding your potential benefits.
