How Pennsylvania Workers’ Comp Covers Infectious Diseases in Healthcare Settings

Healthcare workers form the backbone of a medical system. Doctors, specialists, nurses, and support staff interacting with patients are crucial. They also take on some significant risks. As the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) explains, “healthcare workers are occupationally exposed to a variety of infectious diseases during their duties.” We fight for justice for injured workers at Schmidt, Kirifides, Rassias, & Rio. Our workers’ comp attorneys in Delaware County (Delco) can help explain how Pennsylvania handles infectious disease exposures in healthcare workplace settings.

Workers’ Comp in Pennsylvania Covers Workplace Infectious Diseases

The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act covers various work-related injuries and illnesses, including infectious diseases contracted in the workplace. The inherent nature of their job puts healthcare professionals at a heightened risk of being exposed to a communicable disease. An occupational disease is a health condition or illness directly caused by a person’s work or working conditions. They may develop gradually over time (repetitive stress injury) or acutely (exposure to infectious disease).

You Must Prove a Disease is Work-Related to Qualify for Benefits

To get workers’ comp benefits, you must establish that your infectious disease exposure was “work-related.” Notably, Pennsylvania law explicitly recognizes certain occupational diseases as compensable.

Here is a key point about the claims process: Commonwealth law explicitly recognizes certain occupational diseases as compensable, such as tuberculosis and hepatitis, for nurses, blood processors, and related professions involving exposure to these diseases. If you were exposed to and made ill by an infectious disease in a healthcare setting, you should:

Report It: You should inform your employer about the illness immediately.

Seek Medical Care: Your health is a top priority. You should obtain a thorough medical examination to diagnose the disease and discuss potential work-related exposure.​

Document the Exposure: Finally, you should keep detailed records of incidents or conditions at work that may have led to exposure, including dates and times.

Know Your Right to Get Workers’ Comp Benefits

Healthcare workers contracting an infectious disease may be eligible for a range of workers’ comp benefits under Pennsylvania law. These benefits include coverage for all reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to the illness, from hospital care to prescription drugs. You may also receive wage-loss benefits if you are unable to work. Finally, workers’ comp may provide specific loss or death benefits in severe cases.

Contact Our Skilled Workers’ Comp Lawyers Today

At Schmidt, Kirifides, Rassias, and Rio, our Pennsylvania workers’ comp attorneys have the skills and experience to protect the rights of healthcare workers. If you or your loved one was exposed to an infectious disease in a healthcare setting, we can help. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. With an office in Media, PA, we represent workers throughout Delaware County.