Workers’ compensation claims can be filed after you suffer a workplace injury or contract a workplace related illness. While workplace injuries are relatively well studied and reported about, many people frequently overlook the occupational illness.
An occupational illness, however, has the potential to turn your life upside down and present you with unique medical concerns. Communicating with a workers’ compensation attorney is recommended after you have contracted a workplace related illness.
You may be entitled to recover compensation, but following through the workers’ compensation process in your state is not always necessarily easy.
Although your employer is responsible for taking down information, you may have to defend your claim and draw links to how this illness was contracted from the workplace.
This process can feel overwhelming when you are already suffering with the emotional and physical ramifications of dealing with an occupational illness.
This is where a workers’ compensation attorney can be extremely helpful for assisting you with the development of your case. Accidents can happen in any industry and for any individual.
Thousands of workers file workers’ compensation claims every single year for illnesses and injuries obtained in the workplace. Read on to learn more about some of the most common workplace related illnesses.
Musculoskeletal Disorders
All musculoskeletal illnesses and injuries are lumped together by the Bureau of Labor Statistics into one group. They make up approximately 34 out of every 10,000 on the job accidents. While many of these complaints involve an injured employee’s back, rotator cuff disorders and carpal tunnel syndrome are also quite common.
If you or someone you know has contracted a potential occupational illness, you need to file a workers’ compensation claim as soon as possible. Although individuals in certain industries may be more likely to contract certain illnesses or injuries, this can happen to anyone and at any time.
An occupational illness or injury is classified as one by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as being work related if the exposure or an event in the workplace is either contributed to or caused the resulting condition, or in situations where this exposure or event aggravated a pre-existing condition significantly.
Respiratory Conditions
Illnesses associated with breathing hazardous, biological chemicals, vapors, fumes, dust and gases can lead to serious respiratory conditions such as pharyngitis, rhinitis, acute congestion, asbestosis or silicosis, tuberculosis or occupational asthma.
Hearing Loss
An individual who has suffered hearing loss as a result of an on the job accident or injury needs to consult with a workers’ compensation attorney. This refers to a change in the hea
ring threshold, relative to the baseline audiogram. Consult with your physician to learn more.
Skin Disorders or Diseases
These illnesses involve situations where a worker’s skin has been exposed to plants, chemicals or other substances. Some of the most common examples of skin diseases and disorders associated with work include eczema, contact dermatitis or rashes caused by primary irritants. Chrome ulcers, inflammation of the skin and friction blisters are further examples.
Poisoning
Any disorder associated with an abnormal concentration of toxic substances in bodily fluids, tissues and blood can lead to poisoning. Some of the most common include poisoning by; mercury, cadmium, lead, arsenic or other dangerous metals, poisoning by hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide or other gases, poisoning by organic solvents, poisoning by insecticide sprays or poisoning by other chemicals like formaldehyde.
Other Occupational Illnesses
Some of the other most common occupational illnesses contracted by individuals in the U.S. today include:
- Sunstroke
- Heat exhaustion
- Heat stroke
- Heat stress
- Frost bite
- Freezing
- Decompression sickness
- Exposure to anthrax
- Diseases like HIV or AIDS
- Effects of non-ionizing radiation
If you have recently contracted what you believe to be a workplace illness, it is in your best interest to consult with an attorney immediately.
Don’t Wait ! Talk to An Expert New Jersey Workers’ compensation Attorney
Filing a workers’ compensation claim even if you are not yet sure whether or not you will move forward with a claim is a good idea in order to protect yourself.
Many employers require that you report this information as soon as possible. If you have questions about filing a workers’ compensation claim in New Jersey as a result of a workplace illness, reach out to a knowledgeable attorney today.
Curious to learn more about dangerous jobs? Check out this blog to learn more: https://www.schibelllaw.com/most-dangerous-jobs-in-the-united-states/
