If an Employee Catches Coronavirus at Work, Is It Considered an Occupational Accident? The question of whether coronavirus infections contracted by employees during work constitute occupational accidents has become a major concern for millions of workers. Since the outbreak began in China, the virus has infected roughly 4 million people worldwide. Because the novel coronavirus spreads rapidly through respiratory droplets, many restaurants and shopping malls were closed. After about 50 days of closure across Turkey, these establishments have begun reopening with new safety and prevention measures in place. The reopening of shopping centers and similar venues under strict precautions raises an important question: if an employee contracts coronavirus while at work, will that be classified as an occupational accident? Many people are seeking answers to this question.
Following a long period of quarantine, shopping malls, barbershops, hair salons and beauty centers reopened this morning as part of the normalization plan. Wearing masks in these venues has become mandatory, and businesses must continue to enforce mask use while also observing strict hygiene and cleaning protocols. These precautions are emphasized as essential in the newly implemented working conditions.
Any Accident an Employee Suffers at the Workplace Is Considered an Occupational Accident
The principle that any accident an employee suffers at the workplace is treated as an occupational accident has brought renewed attention to whether coronavirus infections contracted during work fall under the same classification. However, the Social Security Institution (SGK) has issued a special circular excluding coronavirus from the occupational accident category. Still, legal experts note that if an employee can prove they contracted the virus while performing their duties at the workplace, this may give rise to a claim for compensation.
If it can be demonstrated that an employer was negligent in taking preventive measures, that negligence may create a right to compensation for the affected employee. Marmara University faculty member and lawyer Prof. Dr. Talat Canpolat has argued that every accident occurring at the workplace should be treated as an occupational accident, and thus workplace virus transmission should be regarded as either an occupational accident or an occupational disease. In past outbreaks, such as the H1N1 (swine flu) epidemic, workers who contracted the disease were in some cases recognized under occupational accident status. Despite the SGK decision, many legal experts believe that families of workers who contracted coronavirus and died during this period may still pursue legal action to seek compensation.
In summary, while official guidance from social security authorities has specifically excluded COVID-19 from being automatically classified as an occupational accident, the possibility of compensation remains open if an employee can prove workplace transmission or employer negligence. Employees and their families considering legal claims should seek qualified legal advice to evaluate the evidence and the likelihood of success in each individual case.