Nurses, doctors, CNAs, and other healthcare providers play a very important role in our society. They also put themselves at risk by being around people who are ill or who have infectious diseases. If you contracted MRSA while taking care of a patient, would you know what to do? Could you continue to pay your monthly expenses if you were hospitalized or unable to work? Workers’ Compensation Workers’ compensation provides multiple benefits to people involved in healthcare who contract MRSA on the job. In addition to being extremely infectious, MRSA is also incredibly dangerous and it also requires specialized care. If you file a claim, workers’ compensation can help you with: The costs of medical care: You may need surgery, medication, follow-up visits, and you may need to be hospitalized. In severe cases, you may need an amputation. Workers’ compensation can help you with medical expenses related to MRSA. Payment of partial wages: If you are unable to work either temporarily or permanently because of MRSA, you may be entitled to receive partial wage payments. Occupational training: In serious cases that permanently prevent you from returning to your job in the medical field, you may be eligible to receive job training through workers’ compensation to help you return to the work force. What Is MRSA? MRSA is an abbreviation for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus. Although it can be contracted by anyone in any occupation, it is commonly contracted by medical professionals. MRSA is a staph infection that is resistant to treatment. It can spread fast and cause life-threatening infections. Signs of MRSA include a bump or infected area on the skin that appears red, swollen, painful, warm to the touch, and full of pus. You may also have a fever. If you suspect that you have MRSA after working with a patient or from another on-the-job experience, you should see a doctor right away. Also, it is important that you don’t share your personal items, including washing your clothes with your family's laundry because it can spread the infection. Understand Your State’s Laws It’s important that you understand the laws related to workers’ compensation in your state. You should make an appointment to speak with a workers’ compensation attorney. MRSA is treated as a public health hazard and and every state will have a different public health response. The important part is to have it established as an occupationally related condition. Learn More About Workers’ Compensation If you have MRSA and you believe that you contracted it on the job, you should make sure that you contact a workers’ compensation attorney to learn more about your rights under the law. A workers’ compensation attorney can help you if your employer suggests that your personal life is what caused your infection. You can get answers to your questions and learn about your rights under workers’ compensation law, and any compensation you may get can help you get back to work, faster.
