Workers’ Comp – Sanitation Workers

by Kristen White Blogger

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to sweep across the nation and cause disruptions in the workforce. Many employees have found themselves jobless and employers have found themselves without businesses to run currently as well as in the near future. However, there are those who work on the front lines in our communities to ensure that we stay healthy and help flatten the curve of the virus. Some of the main concerns of these is workers’ compensation claims that are at an all-time high during this period. This article will discuss workers’ compensation for sanitation workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nurses and doctors are often the focus when people talk about employees at the front lines during the pandemic. However, janitorial workers are also at the frontline of keeping facilities clean and sanitary. And they too are at high risk of work-related injuries and illness.

It is important to note that all employers are expected to provide workers’ compensation for their employees. Workers’ compensation is an insurance that covers medical bills if a worker is injured or suffers from an occupational illness. In addition, the insurance ensures that a worker is still getting paid while they are on leave from a workplace accident or occupational illness.

The risk associated with sanitation workers during the COVID-19 pandemic is that of contracting the virus while they are busy with work requests and hygiene demands. Because these workers could possibly be in direct contact with the virus, they are at risk of contracting this highly contagious and potentially deadly disease. Sanitation workers can easily be left out from the required provision of adequate protective equipment or training during the period of this pandemic. Failing to provide the necessary person protective equipment as well as training puts workers at an even higher risk for contracting COVID-19.

Sanitation workers are at risk of injuries and illness associated with their work. Like any other employee, they may suffer from slip and fall injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other detrimental grievances that can put them out of work. During the pandemic, workers are also at risk of contracting the virus and becoming sick. As a result, it is important that these workers are covered under workers’ compensation.

Compensation coverage for sanitation workers includes the following:

Injury and illness expenses - when an employee suffers an injury on the job workers’ compensation covers medical costs, medication and rehabilitation costs, partial lost wages and death benefits

Injury lawsuits – employers’ liability insurance protects business owners if an employee suffers a work injury or illness. This is normally included in workers’ compensation insurance and covers attorney fees, court costs, settlements and witness fees

Compliance with state laws and regulations - all states have different workers’ compensation laws for employers to follow and these must be complied with.
In order to lower the risk of contracting COVID-19 in the workplace and during work activities, safety is of the utmost importance in the workplace. Employers need to enforce proper safety rules and precautions so as to minimize accidents. To help reduce injuries companies should provide safety training and protective equipment for all employees including sanitation workers.

For legal advice and representation in Alaska workers’ compensation claims contact a workers’ compensation lawyer.

Resource Box: For Anchorage law firms specializing in personal injury claims the author recommends the Crowson Law Group.