COVID-19 Issues
Beginning January 1, 2024, employers are no longer required to report COVID-19 positive tests to their claims administrator for the purpose of determining if a COVID-19 outbreak occurred at a place of employment.
Employers are still required to:
- Report claims of a COVID-19 injury just like any other claim of an industrial injury.
- Adhere to their COVID-19 reporting obligations to other agencies (i.e.,Cal/OSHA).
COVID-19 will no longer be a presumptive injury. A worker may still claim a COVID-19 injury, but it will no longer be presumed as a work-related illness and will be considered a regular claim. Previously, if a certain number of employees at a specific place of employment tested positive for COVID-19 within a specified period, and an employee’s positive test occurred within this specified period, then a workers’ compensation claim filed by the employee was presumed to be work related and the employee would have been eligible for benefits.
The shortened liability decision timeframes for a claimed COVID-19 injury of 30/45 days will revert to the 90-day liability decision timeframe.
Protecting Yourself and Your Organization
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) is the best source for finding the most up to date information on what is known about the virus and what you can do to protect your organization.
The CDC’s Coronavirus Information Includes:
- Symptoms & Prevention
- Risk Assessment
- Response Planning Information
- School and Healthcare Provider Specific Information
What to Do:
Take action now to prepare your organization. Learn more about what you can do to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
COVID-19 Resources