Legal Burdens Deny Nurses Workers’ Comp for Contagious Diseases
- In 44 states, nurses carry the full legal burden to prove exactly where they contracted a contagious disease to qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.
- While dozens of states grant first responders an automatic legal presumption that infections occurred on the job, hospitals do not receive this same benefit.
- This high legal standard makes proving workplace exposure nearly impossible for healthcare staff after handling numerous infected patients.
- Pennsylvania remains a rare exception by providing limited automatic coverage exclusively for tuberculosis and hepatitis.
Missouri Court Upholds Medical Expense Coverage for Injured Firefighter
- The Missouri Court of Appeals ruled a fire department must reimburse $32,526 in medical expenses for an injured worker after the employer improperly denied authorized treatment.
- While upholding the denial of permanent total disability, the court confirmed the need for compensation coverage regarding the incident.
- The case was remanded to determine specific attorney fees related to the medical award. This decision reinforces worker rights to medical treatment coverage.
DOL Wants Public Input on Workers’ Compensation Hearing Loss Tests
- The federal Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs requested information regarding occupational hearing loss evaluations.
- The agency wants feedback from insurance carriers, employers, and medical professionals on standard audiogram validity.
- It aims to compare traditional tests against objective methods like auditory brainstem responses to improve evaluation criteria.
- All interested parties must submit written public comments by October 22, 2026.