By Bob Katzen

The Labor and Workforce Development Committee accepted written and video testimony on a bill that would create a legal presumption that any COVID-19 diagnosis of a front-line health worker is work-related. These front-line workers include emergency medical technicians, emergency room and urgent care medical personnel and emergency room and urgent care non-medical staff.

“I filed this bill to ensure that front line health workers do not get denied workers’ comp,” said Rep. Chris Hendricks (D-New Bedford), the sponsor of the measure. “This bill creates a legal presumption that any COVID-19 diagnosis with these folks is work-related. This would ease their burden while pursuing workers’ compensation which would provide immediate wage relief and medical care.