COBA Membership,

I want to start off by thanking all of you for your dedication and professionalism during these difficult and uncertain times. With regard to those members who have tested positive for COVID-19 we sincerely hope, if you have not done so already, that you fully recover from this terrible virus. As you know, the Union was previously notified that any authorized time missed from work either awaiting the results of testing or due to COVID-19 confirmed illness will be covered in what the Department is classifying as "Administrative Leave" regardless of where the virus was potentially contracted.  The Union has also been in contact, on a daily basis, with our Disability/Workers' Compensation Attorney Sean Riordan.  Sean suggests that, even though you are receiving Administrative Leave for days that you have or will miss due to the virus, it would be in your best interest to file a claim for 207c/Workers Compensation with the Department.  Filing for these benefits will protect your rights in the event your COVID-19 related illness reoccurs, becomes permanently disabling or in the unlikely event such illness resulted in death.  Also, Sean and the union's lobbyist Bob Ungar have been working with legislative leaders in Albany to amend the  207C/Workers Compensation and ¾'s Disability Laws to create a presumption that you contracted COVID-19 in the course of your duties. This ¾'s legislation would cover any officer who becomes permanently disabled from performing their full duties as a Correction Officer because of Covid-19 related illness. With that said, we strongly urge you to file a detailed Exposure Form, 85-I Report, and an Injury Sustained while on Duty Report with your supervisor ASAP or immediately upon your return to duty so your supervisor can properly forward your claim of illness via department policy and procedures.  If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to call the Union Office.  Also you can contact Sean Riordan our Disability/Workers Comp Attorney directly at 646-831-6229 to assist you with your Workers' Compensation questions and claim.

Stay Safe,

Dennis Maurus

4th. Vice-President