In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic we shared information on categories of workers that were being offered direct workers’ compensation coverage for illness related to COVID-19 contraction. At that time, many states created rebuttable presumptions for certain categories of workers. These presumptions placed the burden on the employer and insurer to prove that the infection was not work-related. The initial protections were offered to first responders, essential personal, and health care workers.
Over the past few months, bills introduced for the protection of workers have expanded to include warehouse workers (NJ), firefighters (NY, MN, NJ) funeral home directors (ND), corrections officers (PA, OH, SC, VA)
Two states presently have introduced bills which will apply to Education employees MN and VA. Information on the MN bills H.B. 6 and S.B. 16 is in the referenced article.
For a comprehensive and up to date state by state review visit this NCCI link provided by The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI): https://www.ncci.com/Articles/Documents/II_Covid-19-Presumptions.pdf
