An emergency rule in Missouri will soon allow first responders and law enforcement officials to receive workers’ compensation if diagnosed with COVID-19.
Missouri just passed the “Presumption of Occupational Disease for First Responders” rule. “This emergency rule creates a presumption that First Responders infected by or quarantined due to COVID-19 are deemed to have contracted a contagious or communicable occupational disease arising out of and in the course of the performance of their employment.” - Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Many first responders throughout the state are being forced to use their sick leave for COVID-19 related time off work. The new rule, which goes into effect on April 22nd, will provide peace of mind for the thousands of first responders on the front lines of the pandemic.
Includes:
- Law Enforcement
- Firefighters
- EMTs
- Paramedics
Excludes:
- Nurses
- Doctors
- Healthcare workers
Covers:
- Medical Bills
- Compensation for time off work
- Sustained disabilities from the virus (if applicable – more research needed to determine possible long-term disabilities caused by COVID-19)
Many first responders throughout the nation are being forced to use their sick leave after contracting the virus or quarantining because of it. In Missouri, workers must prove that they contracted an occupational disease as a result of employment or have been subjected to threats that are greater than non-employment life. The new rule creates a presumption stating that certain workers will be deemed to have contracted the virus arising out of or in the course of the performance of their employment.
Have questions about COVID-19 workers’ compensation claims? Contact our injury hotline at 816-842-7100 or email [email protected].
Full Document:
8 CSR 50-5.005 Presumption of Occupational Disease for First Responders: https://labor.mo.gov/sites/labor/files/8_CSR_50-5.005_Emergency_Final.pdf
