When a worker contracts COVID-19 as a direct result of their employment, they are entitled to compensation if the following conditions are met:
- Evidence that the worker has contracted COVID-19, either: …* medical diagnosis in a medical report, or… * non-medical factual evidence where other evidence establishes the existence of COVID-19.
- The nature of the worker’s employment created a risk of contracting the disease significantly greater than the ordinary exposure risk of the public at large.
A work-related example would be an acute care hospital worker, who is treating patients who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. In these cases, they are at greater risk than the general public of contracting the disease.
Claims submitted for COVID-19 contracted through a work-related exposure are adjudicated on a case-by-case basis. WorkSafeBC will look at details such as whether the worker has a diagnosis of COVID-19, their symptoms, and their employment activities.
If you believe your employee contracted COVID-19 while at work, you should file a Form 7 to determine if the employee is eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.