Call or email us anytime
(805) 484-0333
Search Guide
Today is Friday, March 29, 2024 -

Industry Insights

Castillo: More Protections Needed

  • State: California
  • -  0 shares

As California moves to reopen many parts of the economy — with some counties moving faster than others — more protections are needed for workers as they face new spikes in reported cases of COVID-19.

Michael Castillo

Michael Castillo

As of Friday, California had more than 161,000 confirmed cases resulting in nearly 5,300 deaths, with each daily tally outpacing the previous day’s reports, suggesting the pandemic is far from over.

With Gov. Gavin Newsom’s rebuttable presumption for essential employees set to expire on July 5, it’s imperative for state lawmakers to put in place new protections for workers who contract the coronavirus as a result of their working conditions.

The first bill, and the most comprehensive, would create a conclusive presumption for all essential workers as defined by Newsom’s March 19 executive order and would be applied retroactively to March 1, 2020. Assembly Bill 196, authored by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego, is currently in the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee.

Assemblymembers Jim Cooper, D-Elk Grove, and Gonzalez continue to push a separate bill, Assembly Bill 664, which would create a conclusive presumption for health care workers and first responders such as police and firefighters, and would be applied retroactively to Jan. 1, 2020. 

That bill has been referred to the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee but has yet to have its first hearing.

Lastly, Senate Bill 1159, by Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, would establish a rebuttable presumption for any employee who contracts the disease within 14 days of conducting job duties under on-site supervision. While the bill would still allow for employers to dispute that their employees contracted the coronavirus at work, it’s a step in the right direction and puts the burden of proof on the employer.

The bill passed out of the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee on May 14 and moved to the Senate Appropriations Committee, where it was placed on suspense file on June 9.

With COVID-19 cases on the rise, first responders and essential workers are at more risk than ever. We hope the Legislature acts on these bills quickly to extend and expand upon the protections afforded by Gov. Newsom’s rebuttable presumption.

Michael Castillo is communications director for the California Applicants' Attorneys Association. This opinion is republished, with permission, from the CAAA website.

No Comments

Log in to post a comment

Close


Do not post libelous remarks. You are solely responsible for the postings you input. By posting here you agree to hold harmless and indemnify WorkCompCentral for any damages and actions your post may cause.

Advertisements

Upcoming Events

  • May 13-15, 2024

    NCCI's Annual Insights Symposi

    Join us May 13–15, 2024, for NCCI's Annual Insights Symposium (AIS) 2024, the industry’s premier e …

  • Jul 29 – Aug 2, 2024

    76th Annual SAWCA Convention

    SAVE THE DATE! 76th Annual SAWCA Convention July 29 – August 2, 2024 Hotel Effie Sandestin 1 Grand …

  • Aug 14-17, 2024

    CSIMS 2024 Annual Dual Track C

    California Society of Industrial Medicine and Surgery (CSIMS) is combining its two conferences, PI …

Workers' Compensation Events

Social Media Links


WorkCompCentral
c/o Business Insurance Holdings, Inc.
PO Box 1010
Greenwich, CT 06836
(805) 484-0333