Dear Member:

We are aware of concerns about COVID-19, its impact on the workforce, and workers’ compensation coverage.  We are taking actions within our organization to maintain a safe environment for our employees in order that we are available to service your account.  As your workers’ compensation provider, we also want you to know more about how this virus might impact your workers’ compensation insurance.

Typically, a virus, or other temporary disorders like colds or flu, would not come under the Alabama Workers’ Compensation Act. In order to be compensable, there has to be an “injury arising out of and in the course of employment.”  The phrase “arising out of and in the course of employment” has been addressed many times by our courts.  For an injury as a result of an exposure to COVID-19 to be compensable it has to “arise out of the employment” and the exposure has to be “in the course of the employee’s employment” as those phrases have been defined by the Workers’ Compensation Act and Alabama Courts. Simply being exposed to COVID-19 while at work will not generally meet these requirements.  In any event, a First Report of Injury can be submitted and each situation will be evaluated on its own facts, circumstances and requirements of the law.

We know that the safety of your employees is important.  The Centers for Disease has some excellent information about this virus and ways to keep workplaces, homes, schools and commercial establishments safe.  You can visit their website at www.CDC.gov for more information.

Payroll Changes:

The Alabama Self-Insured Worker’s Compensation Fund (THE FUND) strives daily to provide exemplary, best-in-class service to our members and the brokers who serve them. As always, THE FUND is YOUR Fund and during this critical time, we are right beside you. To submit payroll changes, please send revised payroll to support@asiwcf.org. Accounting will work with each affected member and will address accounts on a case-by-case basis as we understand that some businesses may be impacted more than others.

Best regards,

Freda Bacon
Administrator

Alabama Self-Insured Worker’s Compensation Fund

P.O. Box 59509  Birmingham, AL  35259
P:  205-868-6900 Ext 147   C:  205-612-7810
fredab@asiwcf.org / www.asiwcf.org

“Do the best you can until you know better, then when you know better, do better”.  Maya Angelou