Court Rules COVID-19 Can Be Occupational Disease

In a case of first impression, the Colorado Court of Appeals ruled that COVID-19 can be an occupational disease under the Workers’ Compensation Act. Case: Life Care Centers v. ICAO, No. 23CA1295, 05/02/2024, published. Facts: Vincent Gaines worked at a skilled nursing facility run by Life Care Centers of America. On May 2, 2020, the Colorado National Guard tested all facility residents and staff members for COVID-19. Gaines tested negative. The first positive test of a resident was returned on May 24, 2020. Gaines became sick with COVID-19 shortly thereafter. On June 2, 2020, he was h...