Quote of the day
“I hear it all the time: ‘I don’t want to take the claim — how can you prove you got it at work?’” If you are delivering meals on wheels to the elderly in apartment buildings, a lot elderly are afraid to go out. There [are] a lot of chances to get COVID-19 when making delivery. Where else would that person have caught it but for work if they are working 12 hour days? Just because there is spread through the community, you don’t have to prove absolutely – the presumptions are in law favor injured workers.”
William Crossett, a Syracuse-based attorney and co-chair of the New York Workers’ Comp Alliance
Flash: Newsom Approves Limited Term COVID-19 Presumption
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is approving a workers’ comp presumption for COVID-19. What’s in the order and who is covered at what cost? Get the details here. Workers’ Comp Executive
Coronavirus: New York City’s frontliners face uphill battle for workers’ comp
New York City’s frontline employees including paramedics have been contracting COVID-19 from those in their care, but some employers are discouraging them from seeking workers’ compensation. QNS
Former postal employee admits to workers’ comp fraud
A 53-year-old former U.S. Postal Service employee has admitted defrauding the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers Compensation, of more than $686,000 in federal workers’ compensation. Insider NJ
Demoted Denver fireman tried to claim hot tub, leather sofa as medical expenses
A Denver Fire Department lieutenant who fell through a floor and broke his hip while fighting a fire in 2016 subsequently tried to pass off purchases of a hot tub, stove, specialty mattress and leather sofa as medical expenses, according to a disciplinary action. In an interview with internal affairs investigators, he allegedly maintained all of the purchases were medically necessary and based on the advice of his doctors. Denver Post
Half of masks procured for West Virginia first responders problematic
Of West Virginia’s purchase of 100,000 masks intended for first responders, about half have being questioned because they fasten behind the ear instead of wrapping around the head. The ear loops mean the masks might not seal as tightly, providing less defense against airborne virus. MetroNews