Arkansas Attorney for Work Injuries Caused by Unsafe Work Conditions from Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the landscape for businesses that must continue to operate during these difficult times. For essential workers, there is stress and uncertainty concerning whether their employers are doing everything possible to provide a safe workspace. If an employer fails to institute adequate safety procedures, they increase the risk of workers contracting coronavirus. If you or a family member contracted coronavirus due to the negligence of an employer, contact an experienced Arkansas attorney for coronavirus workplace injuries.

Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law, is dedicated to fighting for workers that contracted coronavirus due to an employer’s negligence. Essential workers that place their lives on the line for our benefit should not have to bear the additional burden of fighting off a coronavirus infection due to the actions of an employer. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your potential claim, contact the Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law, at (479) 316-0438. You may also contact the firm online.

Arkansas Work Injuries Caused by COVID-19 Transmission

In the United States, the coronavirus pandemic has led to more than 850,000 confirmed cases. Out of 850,000 cases of coronavirus cases nationwide, there have been about 80,000 reported recoveries and over 50,000 fatalities. Due to the large number of people that have been infected or that have succumbed to the virus, many businesses have had to adjust how they conduct business.

The primary hurdle for many businesses at the moment is to determine how to operate in a pandemic while also decreasing the risk of employees contracting coronavirus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 is a strain of coronavirus that can be transmitted when an infected individual coughs or sneezes and produces respiratory droplets. The CDC reports that respiratory droplets can travel up to 6 feet or possibly even farther under some circumstances. There is also evidence that the coronavirus can survive on surfaces for an extended period of time.

There are a number of signs and symptoms that can indicate that a person has contracted the coronavirus. One of the most common symptoms of COVID-19 is an unexplained fever. However, there are many other signs and symptoms of COVID-19:

• Body ache
• Unexplained chills and shaking
• Loss of taste or smell
• Pressure in the chest or labored breathing
• Chronic coughing
• Diarrhea
• Severe vomiting

This is not an exhaustive list. It is important to note that COVID-19 disproportionately affects individuals that have underlying health conditions. For example, if a person has a chronic illness or a condition like heart disease, they are at a much higher risk of passing away due to complications caused by COVID-19. The following is a list of complications that a person may experience due to COVID-19:

• Acute kidney injury
• Additional infections due to a weakened immune system
• Cardiomyopathy or other conditions that make it hard for the heart to pump blood through the body
• Organ failure in one or multiple organs
• Pneumonia in one or both lungs

To learn more about seeking compensation from an employer after testing positive for coronavirus, you should consult with an experienced Arkansas work injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Liability for a Work Injury Caused by Unsafe Work Conditions During COVID-19

If you contracted COVID-19 at the workplace, your employer might be responsible for causing your diagnosis. The CDC and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have set out a number of guidelines that employers should follow to help protect workers from contracting COVID-19.

According to the CDC and OSHA, the use of protective equipment is one precaution that employers can take to protect their employees. For example, face masks can prevent the possibility of a worker inhaling infected respiratory droplets. Other precautions can be taken to decrease the risk of contracting coronavirus:

• Handwashing stations and hand sanitizer for use by employees and customers
• Frequent disinfecting of work areas
• Ensuring workers and customers remain at least six feet away from each other
• Supporting the frequent changing of protective gear when feasible
• Encouraging employees to avoid using the same workstations
• Implementing pre-screening and self-monitoring procedures
• Recording any cases of workers contracting coronavirus and informing other coworkers that may have been exposed

Seeking Compensation for a Work-Related COVID-19 Diagnosis

If your employer failed to take adequate precautions to stop you from contracting coronavirus, you have multiple options to seek compensation for your diagnosis. One possibility is to seek Workers’ Compensation for your injuries. If you believe that your diagnosis was caused by some work-related event, your employer may be liable for providing you with Workers’ Compensation benefits.

Additionally, you may also seek a personal injury lawsuit against your employer. However, it is important to note that you cannot pursue a Workers’ Compensation claim and a personal injury lawsuit against an employer.

To discuss your options for seeking compensation for a COVID-19 claim, our firm is ready to work with you. You should not waste time speaking with an experienced attorney, as this could affect your claim.

Contact Our Experienced Arkansas Lawyer for COVID-19 Workplace Injury Caused by Unsafe Conditions

If the negligence of an employer caused you to develop coronavirus, you should consult with an experienced Arkansas COVID-19 workplace injury lawyer. Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law, possesses over 20 years of legal experience litigating complex personal injury claims, and he is here to work with you. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your potential lawsuit, contact Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law, at (479) 316-0438.