Workplace Injuries and Job Loss Due to COVID–19: Things You Should Know
The COVID-19 pandemic is the most stressful time for every employee as it has caused tens of millions of job losses across the country and increased the work pressure on essential workers in difficult conditions.
Due to the early effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the job loss rate touched 3.5% in February and rose to 4.4% in the next month and is now estimated to be at least 15%. According to the Washington Post the U.S. economy is expected to lose around 5 million travel and hospitality-related jobs this year due to the coronavirus crisis.
Many essential workers like those who work for health care facilities, grocery stores, pharmaceuticals, utilities, and law enforcement services continue to work during this health crisis. Since these workers risk their lives to protect others, they must be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits due to work-related injuries or job loss.
The COVID- 19 Impact: Workplace Injuries and Job Losses
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some workers were working in significant pain before they lost their jobs. Many people are forced to continue to work in difficult conditions, which require repetitive activities that can wear out body parts like knees, neck, back, shoulders, and wrists, to name a few. These activities can cause pain or permanent damage to the affected areas. However, due to the financial need to work or fear of retaliation by an employer, many workers postponed filing workers’ compensation claims or are frightened to even mention their physical or mental injuries.
Many workers have lost their jobs. If your injuries are work-related, you should see a doctor and discuss your injuries with them. If you cannot afford a consultation and treatment with a doctor, you should seek a workers’ compensation attorney like Gaylord & Nantais and get a free consultation to discuss your injuries.
Workers’ compensation insurance is for those who are injured in the workplace. You should understand that repetitive "cumulative trauma" injuries are real, and they can be devastating. They can cause permanent damage to your body, which can further prevent you from getting future employment. You may require medical treatment, including surgery. So, if you are providing essential services during the COVID-19 crisis and are injured at your workplace including exposure to the virus, you might be entitled to workers’ compensation claims.
If you need assistance regarding workers’ compensation claims for workplace injuries or even death, contact us immediately.
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