Many of us are aware that antibiotic-resistant infectious diseases are on the rise. In fact, such illnesses are a leading cause of death in both the United States and worldwide.
Ever since the invention of penicillin, and the widespread use of such antibiotics to cure infections, the organisms causing these infections have grown resistant, thus creating an organism immune to the most common antibiotics. Common antibiotic-resistant infectious diseases include staph infectious (MRSA, or methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) c-diff (clostridium difficile) and salmonella.
There are many serious health consequences related to contracting an antibiotic-resistant infectious disease. Such consequences include prolonged hospital stays, prolonged use of antibiotics, and even death. There are even risks of developing side effects from the use of the drug prescribed for treating the antibiotic-resistant infectious disease.
The rise of antibiotic-resistant diseases has major implications for workers. Anyone that works in a field where contact with the general public is common, is at risk. Those that work in health-related industries (i.e., hospitals, in physician offices, etc) in law enforcement and those that work in the cattle and poultry industry, can develop such a disease. Such afflicted workers can pursue a workers’ compensation claim for the disease by establishing the development of the disease as secondary to a work-related exposure.
Even workers with existing claims are at risk. Injured workers who undergo surgery, or other invasion procedures performed at hospitals and outpatient clinics, can be exposed. Under workers’ compensation law, any condition that develops as a consequence, or “flow-thru”, from an existing injury, can seek the payment of medical bills and compensation for such condition. For example, where an injured worker requires surgery for an allowed knee injury, if the injured worker develops a staph infection secondary to surgery, the infection can be added as a condition in the claim.
As noted above, the side effect of prolong use of drugs prescribed for treatment of an antibiotic-resistant infectious disease can also be made part of a claim as a consequence, or “flow-thru”, of the existing injury.
Prior to reading this blog, you may not have been aware that a claim may be filed for contracting an antibiotic resistant infectious disease. If you believe that you have contracted such a disease as a result of employment, or as a consequence of an existing claim, we are able to assist you in making sure that you obtain coverage for payment of medical bills and compensation for contracting the disease.
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