It is a brave new world with the coronavirus pandemic at hand.
What happens in Illinois if a worker is infected and becomes ill is a novel question.
Illinois law provides a defense for employers if the injured worker does not experience a risk greater than the general public.
With the virus it is an interesting question whether all are at risk equally, or if certain professions bear a greater risk.
For instance, healthcare workers would seem to be at high risk. Or workers in high population settings, such as school workers. But what about an office worker who contracts the disease from someone setting next to her?
In terms of what someone who is infected is entitled to, Illinois law provides for payment of medical benefits, off work pay, and potentially a settlement.
The interesting aspect of Illinois law is that it requires permanent partial disability in order to be paid a settlement. In other words you need to experience some sort permanent damage. Not sure what that would be with the coronavirus. Diminished breathing capacity, or some type of permanent restricitons? Of course, the worst outcome is death. Illinois law does provide for death benefits.
If you are infected on the job please contact an experienced Illinois Work Comp lawyer. Please feel free to contact Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.