Bill Summaries: H%201056 WC/COVID-19/COVER ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

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  • Summary date: May 1 2020 - View Summary

    Amends GS 97-53 to expand the diseases and conditions deemed to be occupational diseases treated as an injury by accident under the Workers' Compensation Act and within the scope of the same procedure, practice, compensation and other benefits for the disablement or death of an employee as such under GS 97-52.

    Adds contraction of the coronavirus infection by a covered person to the diseases and conditions deemed an occupational disease, presumed to be due to exposure in the course of the covered person's employment, only rebuttable by clear and convincing evidence. Covered persons under this provision only include (1) law enforcement officers, jailers, prison guards, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, or paramedics employed by a State or local government, including volunteer firefighters, and (2) health care workers. Defines coronavirus by federal statutory cross-reference.

    Applies to claims for workers' compensation benefits filed on or after the date the act becomes law.