Matter of Leonard v. David's Bridal, Inc.
Claimant, an alteration seamstress for David's Bridal, Inc., sought workers' compensation benefits after contracting COVID-19. The employer and its carrier appealed a decision by the Workers' Compensation Board, which established the claim for an occupationally contracted COVID-19. The Board found that the claimant demonstrated specific exposure to COVID-19 at work from a coworker, thus entitling her to the presumption of compensability under Workers' Compensation Law § 21. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's decision, concluding that substantial evidence supported the finding of a work-related injury and that the carrier failed to rebut the presumption, despite medical professionals not providing a conclusive opinion on the exact location of contraction.