What Can Employers Do If an Employee Claims They Caught Covid at Work?

Attorney L. Reed Bloodworth is the managing partner of Bloodworth Law, with offices in Orlando, Florida, and Winter Haven, Florida. 

At Bloodworth Law, our team handles employment law services for clients across Florida and can work with you remotely, via Zoom video conference, or in the office with the appropriate safety measures taken to protect you as we help you with your legal needs.  

What Can Employers Do If an Employee Claims They Caught Covid at Work?

This discussion covers what can employers do if an employee claims they caught Covid at work?

If an employee is claiming that they caught Covid at work, and can prove that they did, then it is most likely going to be something covered under a workers’ compensation policy for that employer.

If the employee cannot prove that they caught Covid at work, then it is most likely not something the employer is liable for. 

So, situations in which someone catches Covid at work, but Covid is not covered by workers’ compensation, are going to be pretty rare.

Employee gets Covid? Workers’ Comp Claim

Employers generally don’t have to worry about this as long as they are taking reasonable steps to protect their employees and the public from catching the virus. And then, if somebody catches the virus, the most likely end result would be a potential workers’ compensation claim. 

But for the most part, the employers’ carrier is going to deal with that. And, it’s not something employers need to lose any sleep over.

Employers’ Covid Rules

The key is that employers provide specific rules related to Covid and Covid prevention. Such as:

• Taking temperature checks
• Asking employees to confirm that they are not experiencing coughing or shortness of breath
• Requiring all employees to wear masks
• Requesting that employees stay at least six feet away from other people and the range of other rules created to protect employees from each other and the public.

Questions About Protection from Covid

As an employer, you may have questions about how to protect your business from the challenges that accompany Covid. Such as: 

•  Have you updated your corporate handbook to include the latest employment laws? 
•  Have you reviewed your employee and contractor contracts and job descriptions? Or,
•  Have you regularly consulted with an employment lawyer to ensure the rules recently put forth by your human resources staff comply with Florida employment laws?

Our Employment Law Team at Bloodworth Law is ready to assist with these and any other issues you may face.

Reed Bloodworth is the managing partner of Bloodworth Law. Give Reed a call to discuss how Bloodworth Law can help you, your employees, and your business.