Last year, a Riverside County employee died after contracting COVID-19. They filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the county. While this is uncommon, it isn’t unheard of.
According to CBS, victim Michael Haywood worked for Riverside’s flood control district. He suffered from pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes, a respiratory illness, and had been a cancer survivor in the past. The report claims his bosses knew that he was at high risk.
For many families across the U.S., saying no to going into work has its challenges. For the average worker, it can cost them their job. Employees like Haywood decide to comply anyways. In the lawsuit filed by his wife, she claimed his employer did not grant him the accommodation to work from home and made wearing masks optional among co-workers.
After getting exposed to COVID, it wasn’t long before the couple tested positive. He died on February 2, 2021. The Haywood family sued the county for negligence – they knew of the disease before his exposure – and failed to address his concerns.
What Happens If Your Employer Fails to Protect You?
You can file a lawsuit if you contracted COVID or lost a loved one to COVID. A civil litigation lawyer can establish your case and help you determine what you might be able to recover. Wrongful death claims are drastically different from filing for workers’ compensation. There are other damages involved aside from medical expenses and lost wages.
We would have to establish how the employer failed to comply with safety regulations through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and how that resulted in the death of your loved one. There are still a lot of unknowns when it comes to COVID. However, you deserve to work in a space free from harm.
The attorneys of Zimmerman Law LLP are here and ready to discuss your legal rights.
