Court Continues to Deny Penalty, Reinstatement Petitions by Police Officers With COVID-19

The Commonwealth Court is continuing its string of decisions rejecting reinstatement and penalty petitions by Philadelphia police officers who contracted COVID-19, adding that the humanitarian purpose of the Workers’ Compensation Act has not been violated by the denial of these petitions. Case: Stewart v. City of Philadelphia (WCAB), No. 490 C.D. 2024, 04/15/2025, published. Facts and procedural history: Terry Stewart is one of 15 police officers represented by the same counsel who have filed similar claims based on the lasting effects of COVID-19, which they allegedly contracted ...