What happens if I catch COVID-19 while I’m at work?
What compensation may you be eligible for?
If you contract COVID-19 at work, you’re entitled to make a statutory claim for compensation under WorkCover. Over 1,000 Australians who contracted COVID-19 at work have had claims accepted during he last 24 months. There have also been over 200 claims on mental health grounds. Compensation for workplace injuries usually covers things lost wages, medical expenses, compensation and sometimes a claim for pain and suffering and/or loss of income if you should experience the ongoing debilitating effects of ‘long COVID’.
Under various sections of State legislation, COVID19 suffered by a worker would be regarded as being due to the nature of employment, if being in that employment gave rise to a significantly greater risk of the worker contracting the disease. This is especially so where your work involves duties that include interaction with people who have contracted the virus.
What do I need to do?
– Have you received a positive COVID-19 test, do you have evidence to support the positive test?
– Have you contracted the virus in prescribed employment?
– Have you travelled overseas for work in the past three months, and if yes, can you provide evidence of the trip flights and flight numbers, destinations, dates and activities
– Do you have evidence to confirm you came into contact with someone who has returned a positive COVID-19 test, and can you provide evidence identifying when and where this occurred in the course of your employment
– Have you come into contact with anyone outside of your work who has tested positive for COVID-19 and do you have evidence to show this?
As you can see, a COVID-19 claim can become complex and we recommend touching base with us so we can offer you a free evaluation of your case.
