While the numbers of coronavirus cases continue to rise in Florida and across the nation, surprisingly few on the job injury and death-related cases have been filed this year. According to the latest Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation COVID-19 report, there have been 25,784 COVID-19 indemnity claims filed. Of those cases, 56% have been compensable and 33 cases have been compensable death claims.

One of the reasons is likely due to the complexity of proving the virus was contracted at work. How do you know an employee caught the virus at work compared to the grocery store or at the gas station? Not to mention the added cost of litigation once experts are involved. In the beginning of the pandemic, there was uncertainty and confusion regarding how to protect employees. As the year comes to a close, it is important to look back and see what we can learn from a few cases that made it to litigation.

Accusations of Negligence