4 Things You Need To Understand About Occupational Diseases & Worker's Compensation
Workers' compensation is often associated with unexpected injuries. However, workers' compensation is also designed to cover occupational diseases as well. Many people who may qualify for workers' compensation due to an occupational disease don't realize that they are covered.
1. Understanding What an Occupational Disease Is
First, you must understand what an occupational disease is. An occupational disease is one that you contract or develop because of your work environment. If you were not in that particular work environment, then your chances of contracting or developing that disease would be extremely small. Occupational diseases usually have statistics to back them up that show that these particular diseases occur at a higher percentage in individuals who work in certain occupations than they do in the general population.
2. Common Types of Occupational Diseases
The type of occupational disease one may encounter really depends upon the workplace environment, although there are some specific diseases which have been more commonly associated with the workplace.
For example, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow are associated with repetitive work injuries. Diseases such as contact dermatitis and asbestosis are a direct result of contact with dangerous substances that have an adverse reaction with one's body. Things such as hearing loss may occur in an extremely loud workplace. Asthma and bronchitis are associated with workplaces with low air quality and exposure to chemicals. These are just an example of some types of occupational diseases and the injuries that these occupational diseases are associated with.
3. Occupations Where Occupational Diseases Most Often Occur
An occupational disease can occur in a wide variety of workplaces. However, there are some types of workplaces where occupational diseases seem to occur more often than in other industries. Industries such as mining, factory work, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and auto repair are all industries where workers' compensation occupational disease claims seem to occur more often.
4. The Cause of an Occupational Disease
The cause of an occupational disease occurs in the workplace. Repetitive work injuries are associated with doing the same task numerous times in a row without adequate breaks or changes in motions or actions. Other work injuries are a direct result of exposure to chemicals, dust, and other environmental substances. A workplace injury could occur because of workplace stress. There are many causes of behind various occupational diseases; what connects the causes together is they are all associated with your workplace environment.
If you suspect that you have an occupational disease, reach out to an attorney who does workers' compensation claim work. They can help you work through the medical requirements and information you'll need to file a workers' compensation claim related to an occupational disease. For more information, contact a law office like Spooner & Perkins P.C. Attorneys at Law.
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