Is Workers' Compensation Ready? Pandemic Peril

Analyzing the preparedness of the U.S. workers' compensation system for a future pandemic requires considering multiple complex factors, including past administrative actions, potential policy shifts, and public health discourse. 

Bird Flu Transmission: Occupational Hazards

Persons working closely with animals infected with the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus, such as dairy cows, poultry, and other animals, are at an elevated risk of contracting the virus.  

CDC Disruption: Workplace Health at Risk

The recent disruption of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s activities has raised concerns about the potential negative impacts on public health, particularly regarding the identification and treatment of infectious diseases and occupational exposures. Here's how this disruption could negatively impact employees, employers, and ultimately increase the cost of workers' compensation claims:

When Skeptics Lead: The Next Pandemic Challenge

As the United States faces the possibility of another presidential transition, the recent announcement of Donald Trump's health agency nominees has sent ripples of concern through the medical and public health communities. With a potential new administration on the horizon, the critical question emerges: Are we prepared for the next infectious disease challenge in the workplace?

Bird Flu: Is Human-to-Human Spread Taking Flight?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] alert from September 27, 2024, raises concerns about human-to-human transmission of bird flu among workers. If this occurs, it will create a major occupational disease outbreak in the workplace that may severely impact workers’ compensation claims.

Bird Flu Strikes Colorado Poultry Workers: CDC Confirms

The US Centers for Disease Control [CDC]] has reported additional humans have been infected with bird flu.

Top Blog Posts of 2023

It has been a busy year for the Workers' Compensation blog. This blog has had over 2 million views. Here is a list of the most popular posts in 2023. 

Happy New Year!

US Supreme Court Allows State Law to Govern Willful Misconduct Cases Under the PREP Act

The US Supreme Court [SCOTUS] has declined to review whether the PREP Act [The Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act of 2005, 42 U.S.C. §§ 247d-6d, 247d-6e] pre-empts a claim for willful misconduct, GLENHAVEN HEALTHCARE LLC v. Saldana, Supreme Court 2022. On appeal,  Saldana v. Glenhaven Healthcare LLC, 27 F. 4th 679 - Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit 2022

US Supreme Court Asked to Review PREP Act Immunity

The US Supreme Court [SCOTUS] has been asked to review whether the PREP Act [The Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act of 2005, 42 U.S.C. §§ 247d-6d, 247d-6e] pre-empts a claim for willful misconduct,

Central New Jersey facility to pay $273K, take corrective actions to resolve COVID-related respirator violations

OSHA finds employers failed to ensure safe respirator use while testing hundreds daily.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Long COVID

Workers’ Compensation Benefits are available for those workers who have been exposed to COVID at work and contract disease and remain ill from Long COVID. 

COVID Boosters: What Employees and Employers Need to Know

Many employers and state governments are mandating that employees be vaccinated against COVID. Confusion remains over the rapidly changing landscape of booster doses as reports of waning or compromised immunity even though a worker is considered “fully vaccinated” when the original series of doses are completed. 

Investing for the Next Pandemic

Preparing for the next pandemic is an essential need for all employers, employees, and insurance companies.  The failure of the public health system to handle COVID-19 is evident as the death toll (675,400) fatalities) has now exceeded the 1918 Spanish Flu mortality rate.  The US CDC is encouraging preparation by announcing the opportunity for final investment. It is also incumbent upon the workers’ compensation industry to expand its efforts for pandemic preparation  

COVID Testing: What Employees and Employers Need to Know

COVID testing is taking a more prominent role as more employers have established vaccine mandates for their employees. Employees who assert either a medical waiver or religious exemption must undergo regular and observed COVID testing. 

What are you Looking Forward to After the Pandemic? What is in your Risk Budget?

A panel of infectious disease experts and public health specialists of the Veterans Administration who have been involved in the national COVID response has a roundtable discussion about going forward following the Pandemic.  

Neurological symptoms like fatigue common in mild COVID

Neurological and psychiatric symptoms such as fatigue and depression are common among people with Covid-19 and maybe just as likely in people with mild cases, according to a new review study led by a UCL researcher.

Searching for Vaccine in NJ

NJ Commissioner of Health Judith Persichilli COVID-19 provided a status report yesterday on the status of vaccine distribution in NJ. 

Is the workers' compensation system ready for the COVID-19 [coronavirus] virus? Live Updates

It seems that every decade a new pandemic emerges on the world scene, and complacency continues to exist in the workers’ compensation arena to meet the emerging challenges of infectious disease.

The Perfect Pandemic Storm

It has now been 220 days since, January 29, 2020, when I first posted my initial article on the COVID-19 Pandemic. It has been updated many times since. At that time I raised the issue, whether the workers’ compensation system was prepared for the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) - The workers' compensation community should support TTSI

The workers' compensation community should play an active role to contain the spread of COIVD-19. Labor, Industry and insurance companies must be encouraged to participate in contact tracing, testing and supported isolation [TTSI]. All reports of illness and incidents of COVID-19 should trigger reportable investigations that are co-ordinated with local and state health agencies. Communication with employees should be encouraged for testing, isolation and expansion of contact testing.