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Unemployment Compensation Lawyers for COVID-19 in PA and NJ

April 27, 2020 by rdmwebdev Social Security Disability, Workers' Compensation

Can I Get Unemployment Benefits if I Catch the Coronavirus?

Perhaps. If you are out of work because you have COVID-19 or you are home taking care of a loved one who has COVID-19, you may be eligible for PA or NJ unemployment benefits and/or benefits under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”).

In the alternative, if you caught the coronavirus at work, you may be eligible for workers’ comp benefits. Call us at (215) 309-9577 if you live in Pennsylvania, or (856) 667-8888 if you live in New Jersey, and we can help you with your case.

You Can Still Get a Free Consultation – Remotely!

We have closed our physical offices to reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus, however, our attorneys and full staff are working remotely, and we are 100% up and running.

You can easily get in touch with us in one of two ways:

  • Click here to email us and get a prompt response
  • Call us at 215-367-1676 if you must talk with someone immediately

Unemployment Benefits in New Jersey for COVID-19

New Jersey residents who are out of work because of the pandemic can click here to find out how to apply for unemployment benefits and to get the latest news in New Jersey unemployment and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).

Those who may qualify for benefits include:

  • Those who have COVID-19 and are out of work;
  • Those who were exposed to the coronavirus and are out of work;
  • Those who must stay home from work to take care of a loved one with COVID-19;
  • Those who were laid off or furloughed due to the pandemic;
  • Those whose employers closed due to the pandemic.

Self-employed workers, independent contractors, and other gig workers may be entitled to unemployment benefits under the PUA. Click here for details and to apply.

Unemployment Benefits in Pennsylvania for COVID-19

Pennsylvania residents who are out of work because:

  • Their employer temporarily or permanently closed the business;
  • Their work hours have been reduced;
  • They have been laid off;
  • They must stay home to care for children home from school;
  • They must stay home to care for a loved one with COVID-19;
  • They have been told not to work to self-quarantine.

may be entitled to unemployment benefits under the Pennsylvania state unemployment insurance program or through PUA if self-employed.

What to Do if You Caught COVID-19 at Work

If you were exposed to the coronavirus while performing your regular work duties, and you contract COVID-19, you may be eligible for workers’ comp benefits in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

If you are eligible for workers’ comp, you will receive compensation for both lost wages and medical expenses.

I Had ARDS due to COVID-19 and am Chronically Short of Breath and Can’t Work. What Do I Do?

If COVID-19 left you with lasting ill-effects that hamper your ability to work and negatively impact your quality of life, you may also be eligible for partial or total temporary or permanent disability payments, or you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a common symptom of COVID-19 in the most severe cases and is currently the leading cause of death among COVID-19 victims. The coronavirus damages the walls of lung sacs called alveolus as well as capillaries, reducing the lungs’ capacity to transfer oxygen to the victim’s red blood cells and in many cases, causing death.

Symptoms of ARDS include:

  • Sudden breathlessness;
  • Rapid breathing;
  • Dizziness;
  • Rapid heart rate;
  • Excessive sweating.

In survivors of COVID-19 who had ARDS, there may be lingering damage to the lungs causing shortness of breath at best or requiring oxygen or even a ventilator at worst.

Contact a Workers’ Comp, Personal Injury, and Social Security Disability Lawyer Today

If you’ve contracted COVID-19, your job is to stay home and recover. Whether you contracted COVID-19 at work or elsewhere, our <a “Workers Comp Lawyer Near Me” href=”https://saffwein.com/practice-areas/workers-compensation/”>NJ and PA workers’ comp lawyers will help you get the benefits you need and deserve under all available and applicable government programs. Contact us to schedule your free, no-obligation telephonic or virtual consultation.

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