Do I Qualify for COVID-19 Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Iowa?
If you or someone you love has COVID-19 and believes it was contracted while at work, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, your eligibility will depend on the specific circumstances of your case. Here’s a closer look at how workers’ comp applies to COVID-19 in the state of Iowa.
Is COVID-19 Considered an Occupational Disease?
The term occupational disease refers to a chronic condition that occurs as a result of a work-related activity. Under Iowa Law, workers’ compensation benefits can be awarded to employees who suffer from an occupational disease, occupational hearing loss, or injuries sustained during the course of their employment.
In most cases, contracting COVID-19 at work is considered an injury. However, as it has become more prevalent across the country, there’s a growing difficulty to reasonably prove that it was contracted in the workplace. To be eligible to receive compensation for it, a doctor must confirm that you have been diagnosed with the disease and were exposed to it while performing duties related to your job.
What Occupations Are High-Risk for COVID-19?
People who are routinely exposed to communicable diseases as a result of their profession will typically have an easier time proving they acquired COVID-19 at work. Some of the most common high-risk jobs include first responders, such as firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and paramedics; health care workers, including doctors, nurses, dentists, dental hygienists, and physical therapists; and some travel industry professionals.
What Benefits Can You Claim with Workers’ Compensation?
The main benefit employees with COVID-19 receive with workers’ comp is the replacement of lost income. Called temporary total disability (TTD), this benefit will pay you during the period of time you’re unable to perform your job as a result of your illness. In Iowa, this benefit rate is 80% of your weekly after-tax wage. Workers’ compensation may also reimburse you for hospital stays, doctor’s visits, and any other medical bills incurred due to the virus.
If you’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19 and believe you’re entitled to receive workers’ compensation, get in touch with The Law Offices of Gallner & Pattermann, P.C. Since 1974, the seasoned attorneys at this firm have been helping employees and accident victims in the Council Bluffs, IA, area get the compensation they deserve for workplace injuries, occupational diseases, and personal injuries.
Visit their website to learn more and call (712) 323-0999 to schedule a free consultation today.