Michigan introduces COVID-19 presumption legislation

A Michigan lawmaker introduced legislation on Thursday that would create a presumption that essential workers in the state who contract COVID-19 did so on the job.  

H.B. 6040, sponsored by Rep. Brian Elder, a Democrat, would assume that essential workers who contract coronavirus during an emergency declared by the state’s governor sustained that personal injury on the job unless the employer is able to rebut that presumption.  

Essential workers are defined as employees whose employers require them to work outside of their home during the declared emergency. 

The legislation would apply to diagnoses of COVID-19 on or after March 10.  

The bill has been referred to the state’s House Committee on Commerce and Tourism.  

More insurance and workers compensation news on the coronavirus crisis here.