Can healthcare professionals get workers’ compensation during the COVID-19 crisis?

Nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals are facing the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the front line, as thousands of people are in need of medical care each day. As a result, they put themselves in harm’s way each day in order to protect the public.

Healthcare professionals are at a high risk of becoming infected with the virus and potentially infecting their families. Moreover, healthcare professionals are working longer hours with fewer breaks, and exerting themselves beyond their physical and mental capacity. For this reason, healthcare professionals are at risk of burnout, fatigue, injuries from lifting and exertion, and workplace accidents.

Can New York’s healthcare workers obtain workers’ compensation benefits during COVID-19?

Healthcare workers in New York put themselves in close contact with many other people.

They include health care workers:

• Doctors
• Nurses
• Respiratory therapists
• Others who work in hospitals or other medical settings

According The New York Times, health care workers face the greatest risk. They work in close proximity to patients and colleagues.

How can NY workers’ comp lawyer help?

We support stronger measures to protect workers who are at risk of exposure to illness, such as COVID-19. As experienced workers’ compensation attorneys, we have seen first-hand the impact of workplace-acquired infections and illnesses.

If you’re made ill from workplace exposure, you may be eligible for benefits through workers’ compensation, which include, but are not limited to:

• Medical and prescription drug coverage
• Medical equipment
• Partial wage replacement

If you test positive for COVID-19, notify your employer as soon as possible. You will need to complete appropriate paperwork to be filed with your employer and the Workers’ Compensation Board in New York.

Filing a COVID-19 workers comp claim

Filing a coronavirus workers’ compensation claim may be more complicated than you think. Your employer or the insurance company may say you contracted the illness outside of work.

Don’t let them push you around. Contact our law firm for guidance. Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano, LLP is available to help you maximize your workers compensation claim.

Be certain that we have the resources to manage your case remotely during these difficult times. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has ordered many businesses to close to limit the spread of the disease. We recognize the need to limit face-to-face contact and continue to serve existing and new clients by phone, email or videoconferencing. Contact us online today.

We are offering free consultation via Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, text, phone, or email. You also will not have to attend your hearing in person.

Hearings will be safe and convenient

The New York Workers’ Compensation Board has declared that all hearings will be done remotely in accordance with Executive Order 202.

You can conveniently attend your hearing by downloading the virtual hearing app on the App Store or Google Play Store.

The board will also make the hearing process safer and more convenient by

• Extending the deadline for filing medical evidence by 90 days.
• Allowing exemptions for those who can’t attend an independent medical examination appointment for reasons related to COVID-19.