Governor Proposes COVID-19 Presumption for Critical Workers

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers unveiled a $541 million pandemic relief plan that includes language to create a presumption that COVID-19 is compensable for so-called “critical workers.” Workers would need a specific diagnosis of COVID-19 by a physician or a positive test to qualify for the presumption, under the governor’s proposal. Employers would be able to rebut the presumption by showing that an injury was caused by exposure to the new coronavirus outside of employment. The governor’s presumption would apply through Dec. 31, 2021. The bill would direct the se...