Smithfield Foods closed about 20 plants this spring after outbreaks, prompting President Donald Trump in April to order the plants to stay open to ensure the nation's meat supply. The White House declined to comment on the industry's rejections of workers' claims. The U.S. Department of Labor did not respond to a request for comment.
The full picture of how the meatpacking industry has handled COVID-related workers’ compensation remains murky because of a lack of national claims data. Reuters requested data from seven states where JBS or its affiliates have plants that had coronavirus outbreaks. Only three states provided data in any detail; all show a pattern of rejections.
JBS spokesman Cameron Bruett did not answer the question of whether JBS employees were infected on the job and declined comment on individual workers’ claims. He said the company has outsourced claim reviews to a third-party administrator. Under Colorado law, a workers’ compensation death benefit provides about two-thirds of the deceased worker’s salary to the surviving spouse and pays medical expenses not covered by insurance. If JBS had not denied the Sanchez family’s claim, that would have provided his widow a steady income and paid uncovered medical bills totaling about $10,000, according to his daughter.
Workers’ compensation is generally the only way to recoup medical expenses and lost wages for work-related injuries and deaths. The system protects employers from lawsuits, with few exceptions, and allows workers to collect benefits without having to prove fault or negligence. But the system was designed for factory accidents, not airborne illnesses.
He said meat-processing companies have an incentive to deny every claim because admitting they caused even one infection can expose the firms to liability for all workers contracting COVID-19.
Jjh81706 Clearly, they cannot admit fault.
Meatpacking companies are not the ones that deny workers compensation. Their WC insurance company handles that.
jaredpolis How about you do something for the essential workers here.
This should make your blood boil!
Not surprised even though completely disagree. Heard early on that proving WC claims would be difficult and wasn’t expected to be a high risk due to burden. Insurance companies are good at winning.
The worlds largest meatpacker
We have a Corporate structure that views many people as expendable. Specifically the brown and black skinned :(
The largest meat packer is right here FYI
I predict a strike by the meat packers. Stock up now.
JBS, Tyson Foods Inc TSN.N and WH Group Ltd's Smithfield Foods— these are companies protected by Barr, the Senate and Trump never forget siempre recordamos
guessing that's legal, but sure makes them look like shitty, heartless employers.
Meat companies have become the most convincing PSAs for going vegan.
What the fuck is a 78 year old man doing working in a meat packing plant?! Anyway, this is the union's fault. They should be representing their workers but they are generally useless slush funds for the union's leadership
Employers usually take the stance to not pay out unless there's clear 'but for' causation. Doesn't make it right, however. But I blame our society for giving employers too much power. To shitty employers that treat people as commodities.
Corona becomes more where there is West winds! Most deaths will be in western countries. The winds will intensify in nowember and deaths will increase.There is a solution. What you need to do is not stand in the wind be carefull.
If this is true, it’s a disgrace.
Corporate greed kills.
Prayers for that family
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