Massachusetts Court Backs Covid Compensation for Essential Worker

On 16 April 2025, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts upheld the decision of awarding workers’ compensation benefits to Jeff Stacy who was contracted as a lineman during the COVID-19 pandemic. As per the given information, the court has found that the insurer, that is Travelers Indemnity Co, has erred in denying the claim. 

Stacy worked for the Unitil Corp. and continued his duties even while the non-essential businesses were closed under the state’s emergency orders. While working in February 2021 overtime, including Stacy most of her co-workers reportedly fell ill and they were hospitalized. Most importantly Stacy was found positive, so he claimed for the compensation from the insurer which was eventually denied by them stating that “catching COVID-19 was not directly related to his job”. 
An administrative judge ruled that the environment of Stacy’s work place made him vulnerable to infection and made the risk a part of his job. So, he was given temporary total incapacity compensation and coverage for his medical bills. By referring to a law from 1941 which allows workers’ compensation for infectious diseases, if the job carries a higher risk, the court upheld the ruling. And it declared that Stacy’s claim is reasonable and not arbitrary.