As healthcare facilities across the nation report surging respiratory illness cases, the spotlight has turned once again to protecting those on the front lines of medicine. Recent surveillance data reveal a troubling trend: flu activity is increasing rapidly across the United States, with cases and hospitalizations rising by 78% and 53% respectively, in some states, while emergency department visits for influenza have more than doubled in certain regions.
The Current Surge: A Perfect Storm
The timing couldn't be more challenging. Louisiana has reported high influenza-like illness levels, while Colorado is experiencing moderate activity. What's particularly concerning is the demographic pattern: activity is especially pronounced in young adults and children, populations that frequently interact with healthcare systems.
The dominant strain this season, Influenza A(H3N2), accounts for over 82% of detected influenza A viruses—a pattern mirroring trends in the UK, Japan, and Canada. While there have been no pediatric deaths this season, the CDC estimates 450 adult deaths and 11,000 hospitalizations have already occurred.
Hospitals Respond: The Return of Masking
Recognizing the escalating threat, major healthcare systems are reinstating protective measures. Hackensack Meridian Health, which serves nearly 2 million patients annually across 18 hospitals, announced that anyone visiting an admitted patient will be required to wear a face mask.
RWJ Barnabas Health has implemented even broader masking protocols, requiring masks for employees providing direct patient care, all patients when leaving their rooms, and visitors in the presence of patients. These measures reflect a proactive approach to safeguarding both patients and the healthcare workforce.
Beyond the Acute Illness: The Emerging Threat of "Long Flu"
While most attention focuses on preventing acute flu infections, emerging research suggests we may be overlooking a more insidious threat: the long-term sequelae of influenza infection, often termed "long flu." Just as we've learned about the persistent symptoms following COVID-19, evidence indicates that influenza can trigger prolonged health issues, including:
- Chronic fatigue and reduced stamina
- Persistent respiratory complications
- Cardiovascular issues
- Cognitive difficulties
- Extended recovery periods affect work capacity
For healthcare workers already facing physically and emotionally demanding roles, these lingering effects can be particularly debilitating.
The Workers' Compensation Time Bomb
The intersection of increased flu transmission and potential long-term complications creates a concerning scenario for workers' compensation insurers and healthcare employers. Consider these factors:
Immediate Claims Exposure: Healthcare workers who contract flu on the job may file workers' compensation claims for:
- Medical treatment costs
- Lost wages during illness
- Complications requiring extended care
Long-Term Liability: If "long flu" follows patterns similar to long COVID, employers could face:
- Extended disability claims
- Ongoing medical expenses
- Reduced work capacity requiring accommodations
- Potential permanent disability determinations
Proving Causation Challenges: Unlike a singular traumatic injury, establishing that a respiratory infection—and particularly its long-term effects—arose from workplace exposure can be complex and contested.
Workforce Impact: With the majority of hospitalizations affecting those 65 and older, but significant spread occurring in all age groups, healthcare facilities may experience:
- Staffing shortages due to illness
- Increased overtime costs
- Reduced quality of care
- Higher turnover from burnout
Protecting Your Healthcare Workforce: A Multi-Layered Approach
1. Vaccination Programs: Make flu vaccines readily available, ideally at no cost and during work hours. Consider incentive programs to boost uptake.
2. Infection Control Protocols: Beyond masking, ensure:
- Adequate PPE supplies
- Proper hand hygiene stations
- Enhanced environmental cleaning
- Appropriate ventilation systems
3. Sick Leave Policies: As holiday gatherings and cold weather drive people indoors where germs easily circulate, encourage ill workers to stay home with:
- Generous paid sick leave
- No-penalty policies for illness-related absences
- Clear return-to-work guidelines
4. Surveillance and Early Intervention: Monitor absence patterns and provide early access to antiviral treatments when appropriate.
5. Workers' Compensation Readiness: Prepare your claims management by:
- Documenting infection control measures
- Training supervisors on proper reporting procedures
- Establishing relationships with occupational medicine specialists
- Reviewing insurance coverage for pandemic-related claims
The Road Ahead
Cases are expected to rise as holiday gatherings and cold weather continue, making the coming weeks critical for healthcare facilities. The stakes extend beyond immediate patient care—they encompass the long-term health and financial well-being of the healthcare workforce.
Smart employers recognize that protecting healthcare workers from infectious diseases isn't just about compliance or even compassion (though both matter). It's about sustainable operations, manageable workers' compensation costs, and maintaining the human infrastructure that keeps our healthcare system functioning.
As we navigate this flu season, the hospitals reinstating masking requirements aren't being overly cautious—they're being prudent. The actual cost of failing to protect healthcare workers may not be known for months or years, as long-term complications emerge and workers' compensation claims accumulate.
The question isn't whether we can afford to implement comprehensive protections for healthcare workers. It's whether we can afford not to.
Recommended Citation: Gelman, Jon L., Flu Season's Hidden Workers' Compensation Cost, Workers' Compensation, 12/02/2025.
Blog: Workers' Compensation
LinkedIn: JonGelman
LinkedIn Group: Injured Workers Law & Advocacy Group
Author: "Workers' Compensation Law" West-Thomson-Reuters
Mastodon:@gelman@mstdn.social
Blue Sky: jongelman@bsky.social
© 2025 Jon L Gelman. All rights reserved.
Attorney Advertising
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
No comments:
Post a Comment