What is an Occupational Disease?
Occupational diseases can arise from any work environment. If you are working in a corporation that has exposed you to certain toxic substances, the employer is legally required to take care of your medical expenses.
While most people associate the occupational disease with industrial hazards like silicosis or black lung disease, office workers also face workplace hazards from chemicals used in everyday office products.
In case you have contracted an illness stemming from your workplace environment. It is essential to know what kinds of protection are available for you. An employer is responsible for providing a safe place of employment for its employees. It is their responsibility to ensure that the workplace does not pose any harm to the health of their workers, and if it does, they are obliged to correct such hazards. If an employee develops a disease due to exposure at work, the employer may be held liable.
Occupational diseases are becoming a growing concern in the US. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that; there were approximately 2.6 million nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses reported in the US in 2015. The most common causes of these injuries and illnesses were overexertion, falls, motor-vehicle traffic, and exposure to harmful substances or environments. In 2015, an estimated 4,693 fatal work injuries occurred in the US. Most fatal work injuries involved transportation incidents of violence by another person.
The highest injury rates are found among those who work in the food preparation and service industries.
How to get your due Occupational Disease Compensation?
Occupational diseases can be a devastating problem. The fact that the average worker is exposed to an average of 200 hazardous substances on any given day is horrifying. The truth is, most of these chemicals have not been tested for safety, and many are known carcinogens.
If you or your loved one suffers from an Occupational disease due to working conditions, you are well within your rights to file for a compensation claim. If an employee is diagnosed with occupational diseases. They are entitled to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits. These benefits range from medical costs to compensation for wage loss during recovery and other expenses incurred due to the illness.
A worker can claim compensation even if the employer knew of the risk involved and ignored it. The worker has only to prove that the employer knew of the risk and failed to take precautions against it.
Below you can find three tips that will help you get your due compensation:
- Tip-1 Report your injury as soon as possible
You should report your injury to your employer as soon as possible – ideally within 24 hours. If you are suffering from an occupational illness, report it as soon as you get diagnosed. Failure to report an injury can often lead to denied claims.
- Tip-2 Keep a record of your Illness or Injuries.
Be sure to maintain a record of all medical appointments and treatments related to your injury. These records will help by substantiating your claim and proving the injury is due to your work.
- Tip-3 Gather evidence of your illness
Gathering proper evidence will help substantiate your claim and prove that injury is caused on or due to your job.
Contact an Experienced Occupational Disease Claims Attorney
It is crucial to seek legal help as soon as possible. An occupational disease lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve for your illness. There are many reasons for this.
First, it is not easy to win these cases by yourself. You need a lawyer with experience in occupational disease cases to deal with the insurance company and fight for your rights.
Second, lawyer’s work on a contingency fee basis – you do not pay unless you win your case. So, if your compensation is delayed or reduced, the lawyers will also suffer the loss. Hence, there is complete dedication to your cause.
If you or your loved one has sustained Occupational Disease or injuries at your respective workplace, contact an experienced Occupational Disease Attorney.
Call DYS Law Offices today for a free legal consultation regarding your Occupational illness/ injury. Let our professional team of Workers Comp. Lawyers fight for your right to be compensated for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses caused by your injury.
Call us at (310) 473-2355 now to book a free consultation.
