
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage communities across the globe, healthcare workers are on the front lines of the fight. They work tirelessly to retain people well and safely, often risking their health in the procedure. While their work is vital, it can also be dangerous, with healthcare workers fronting a range of potential injuries and infections. This is why workers’ compensation is such an essential protection for those working in the healthcare industry https://munley.com/stroudsburg/workers-compensation/workers-compensation-for-healthcare-workers/.
Ensuring Access to Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation is a system of insurance that benefits employees injured or become ill due to their job. Workers’ compensation is usually mandatory, meaning employers must carry this insurance for their employees. This is also true for healthcare workers, although there are some nuances to the workers’ compensation process in the healthcare industry.First, healthcare workers must be classified as employees to qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. This may seem straightforward, but some healthcare providers misclassify their laborers as self-governing contractors, making it hard for these workers to access the benefits they want. Second, healthcare workers must be able to reveal that their injury or illness is linked to their job. For example, a nurse who contracts COVID-19 while caring for a COVID-positive patient would likely be qualified for workers’ compensation benefits, while a nurse who contracts the virus outside of work would not.
Potential Risks for Healthcare Workers
Healthcare workers face various possible dangers on the job, from needlestick damages and experience to hazardous chemicals to slip-and-fall accidents and musculoskeletal syndromes. In addition to these risks, the COVID-19 pandemic has added a new layer of danger for healthcare workers.As the virus spreads, healthcare labors are in danger of exposure, which can lead to infection or death. Even with proper personal defensive equipment (PPE), exposure is still hazardous.
In conclusion, workers’ compensation is an essential protection for healthcare workers who face various potential risks on the job, including those related to the COVID-19 pandemic. By ensuring that healthcare workers have access to this protection, we can help keep those on the front lines safe and healthy.