Immunocompromised at Work in Chicago: Can I File a Workers’ Comp Claim for an Infection?

If you suffer an infection at work and you believe that your immunocompromised status played a role, you should still be able to file a valid workers’ comp claim. That being said, you may need to work with an experienced workers’ comp lawyer in Chicago to prove that the infection occurred at work.

The Type of Infection Matters

There are many types of infection to consider in this situation. If you are trying to file a claim after becoming infected with the common flu, you should know that a claim is generally impossible in this situation. From the perspective of the workers’ comp board in Illinois, the common flu is a common issue that people have to deal with. As a result, it is generally excluded from covered injuries under workers’ comp.

On the other hand, a more serious infection can definitely lead to a valid claim. For example, you might have an infected wound after accidentally brushing against a jagged, rusty piece of metal. Perhaps you suffered a needle prick injury after trying to handle a garbage bag as a sanitation worker, and you’ve just received a diagnosis of hepatitis B. You might have been working in the agricultural industry when you contracted a dangerous disease from livestock.

Whatever the case may be, these more serious types of infections can easily lead to valid claims. As an immunocompromised individual, you face potentially worse health outcomes than the average person. Not only are you more likely to contract these infections, but you are also more likely to experience more severe symptoms.

How Do You Prove That You Contracted the Infection at Work?

Although a claim of this type is theoretically completely legitimate, an insurer might still deny it. From the insurer’s perspective, it may be possible to assert that the infection occurred somewhere outside of work. The nature of certain infections may make it challenging to prove exactly where you contracted the disease, and this could be particularly difficult if the disease is sweeping through the general population as well.

On the other hand, your infection might be highly specific to your workplace. Sanitation workers often suffer needle prick injuries, and your co-worker might have seen your injury firsthand. Perhaps you work in a junk yard filled with jagged pieces of rusty metal that carry tetanus bacteria. Maybe you work on a farm with a documented outbreak of a zoonotic disease. Your lawyer may be able to help you gather enough evidence to prove that your infection occurred at work.

Can a Chicago Workers’ Comp Lawyer Help Me? 

Your immunocompromised status should not prevent you from accessing workers’ compensation benefits in Chicago. Regardless of why you are immunocompromised, the fact that your infection occurred at work means that a valid claim is possible. If you need help with your claim, contact Connolly Injury Law at 312-584-9722 for further guidance.

Sources: 

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10870224/

primaryimmune.org/resources/news-articles/statement-federal-policy-changes-pledge-protect-immunocompromised