Each of us at the Gori Law Firm, P.C. understand the concern and worry you and your families are going through as the nation struggles with the possibility of contracting the Covid-19 virus. Hopefully everyone will remain safe and enjoy great health as the days and weeks pass. There is a heightened concern regarding the safety of First Responders and Front-Line Workers that they might contract the virus as they perform their jobs for the benefit of all of us.
We are pleased to pass along information that as of yesterday, April 13, 2020, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission issued an emergency amendment to their rules which, for at least the next 150 days, creates a rebuttable presumption for First Responders and Front-Line Workers who contract Covid-19 that their exposure is work-related and compensable under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. In other words, if a First Responder or Front-Line Worker contracts the Covid-19 virus, his or her injury and period of incapacity will be rebuttably presumed to have arisen out of and in the course of their employment and causally connected to the hazards and exposures of their employment. This amendment provides a measure of added protection to First Responders and Front-Line Workers.
A Covid-19 First Responder or Front-Line Worker means any individuals employed as police, fire personnel, emergency medical technicians, paramedics and all individuals employed and considered as first responders, health care providers engaged in patient care, and correction officers. Protection is also provided for crucial personnel in the following employment: stores that sell groceries and medicine; food, beverage, and cannabis production and agriculture; organizations that provide charitable and social services; gas stations and businesses needed for transportation; financial institutions; hardware and supplies stores; critical trades; mail, post, shipping, logistics, delivery, and pick-up services; educational institutions; laundry services; restaurants for consumption off-premises; supplies to work from home; supplies for essential businesses and operations; transportation; home-based care and services; residential facilities and shelters; professional services; day care centers for employees exempted by Executive Order 2020-10; manufacture, distribution, and supply chain for critical products and industries; critical labor union functions; hotels and motels; and funeral services.
We hope you and your families continue to stay safe and healthy through these extraordinary times. We wanted to pass this important information to you and if you wish to discuss this workers’ compensation amendment, please call one of the attorneys at the Gori Law Firm, P.C. at 618-659-9833.
Best wishes to you, your families, and loved ones,
The Team at The Gori Law Firm