First they battled COVID-19. Now, front-line workers and in some cases their widows, are fighting the government for workers' compensation.
A WCNC Charlotte review of North Carolina and city of Charlotte pandemic workers' comp claims revealed most who apply for benefits are getting denied, including some front-line workers.
The North Carolina Industrial Commission requires workers prove two things in order to collect benefits: Their job exposed them to a greater risk than the general public, and directly caused them to get COVID. That's a heavy burden considering the virus is still new and often untraceable. State records show 63% of workers (government and non-government) who filed pandemic-related claims were denied.
Cheryl Andrews McDonald knows the pain of losing a loved one. Her husband, 49-year-old Sgt. Michael McDonald, died in October. His death certificate lists COVID-19 pneumonia as an underlying cause.
"I don't want his name to ever be forgotten," the widow said. "He was a good, honorable man who always showed up. Whenever he was called in, he was there. He didn't complain. He didn't question. He did what he needed to do because he was a part of a team in the police department." #COVID19 #Shorts
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