Oregon proposes COVID-19 comp presumption

Oregon lawmakers on Monday proposed legislation to make COVID-19 exposure or infection a compensable occupational disease.

S.B. 488 would create a presumption that certain classes of workers who acquire COVID-19 did so in the workplace during a declared state of emergency. The rebuttable presumption in the bill would apply to first responders, medical services providers, retail store and child care workers and janitorial workers. The legislation would also provide a rebuttable presumption for workers in other industries if more than 10% of employees at the worksite tested positive for COVID-19.

If signed into law, the legislation would take effect immediately and sunset on the 180th day following the expiration or termination of a declared state of emergency.

Another bill, H.B. 2915, would create a presumption that firefighters and police officers who suffer from occupational diseases would be covered under their city’s disability or retirement system if the worker took a physical examination upon gaining or during employment that failed to reveal evidence of an occupational disease that existed.

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