With the global outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, employers have been forced to step up their game when it comes to worker safety. Many companies are now providing their employees with personal protective equipment (PPE) to guard against accidental infection with the coronavirus. This is happening across all industries, including retail, food service, and manufacturing.

Still, a tool is only as good as the person using it. What if your employer is providing you with PPE, but has not yet trained you on proper usage? On the other hand, what if sanitization protocols at your workplace are not up to government-recommended standards? If you get sick, do you have any legal recourse?

The Importance of Sanitation Safety at Work

The risk of getting sick on the job varies from industry to industry. Several years ago, a study found that nursing and residential care in state-run facilities was the field in which employees got sick the most frequently - no surprise there. However, with the current pandemic in full swing, all employers have an ethical obligation to provide for the health and safety of their workforce. Robust training programs form one essential aspect of this; the establishment of strict sanitization protocols form another.

If your employer has displayed carelessness or outright negligence in this regard, then you may be entitled to compensation in the event that you get sick. Companies that deliberately turn a blind eye to unnecessary and preventable risks to their workers deserve to be punished to the full extent of the law - and those affected workers deserve to be paid.

Partner with an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

If you've fallen sick on the job, and you believe that your employer was to blame, then you should investigate your legal options for restitution. Contact the Law Offices of Smiley & Smiley today for a consultation on how to proceed. We will fight for your rights, and help you receive fair and just compensation for your personal injury or illness.