Work-related injuries are not the only conditions that qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. Many employees develop occupational illnesses due to prolonged exposure to hazardous substances or poor workplace conditions.
These illnesses can have severe consequences and affect your health, productivity, and overall quality of life. Fortunately, workers’ compensation laws recognize that occupational illnesses are just as severe as physical injuries and provide financial support for medical treatment and lost wages.
Let’s read about some common occupational illnesses that may be covered under workers’ compensation.
- Occupational Lung Diseases
Lung diseases are among the most common occupational illnesses, especially for employees working in environments with airborne contaminants such as dust, chemicals, or fumes. Conditions like asbestosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and occupational asthma develop over time due to prolonged exposure to hazardous substances.
Workers in industries like mining, construction, manufacturing, and agriculture are particularly at risk. Symptoms of occupational lung diseases can range from mild breathing difficulties to severe respiratory failure. Many of these conditions are irreversible and can significantly impact an individual’s ability to work.
Filing a workers’ compensation claim for a lung disease can be complex because symptoms often appear years after exposure. Therefore, medical records, workplace safety reports, and expert testimony are important in proving that the illness is work-related.
- Hearing Loss Due to Workplace Noise
Hearing loss is a widespread occupational illness that affects workers exposed to loud machinery, explosions, or prolonged noise pollution. Industries such as construction, manufacturing, aviation, and transportation are known for high noise levels that can damage hearing over time.
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) can result from consistent exposure to sounds above 85 decibels, which is common in many workplaces without adequate hearing protection.
The symptoms of work-related hearing loss may include difficulty understanding conversations, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), or complete hearing impairment. Since hearing damage is usually gradual, workers may not realize the extent of their condition until significant damage has occurred.
- Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSIs)
Repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) occur when workers perform the same motions repeatedly, leading to strain and inflammation in muscles, tendons, and joints. Common RSIs include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and bursitis, which frequently affect office workers, assembly line employees, and those who perform repetitive manual labor.
Workers who develop RSIs often struggle to prove their condition is work-related because symptoms develop gradually rather than from a single event. Proper documentation from medical professionals, ergonomic assessments, and work history reports are essential in supporting a workers’ compensation claim for RSIs.
You can hire a reputable law firm like Thomas Law Offices to file a compensation claim if you or any loved one has been a victim of these injuries. These expert attorneys will help you get the compensation you deserve for your losses.
- Skin Diseases Caused by Workplace Chemicals
Occupational skin diseases arise from prolonged exposure to irritants such as solvents, dyes, cement, cleaning agents, and industrial chemicals. Conditions like contact dermatitis, eczema, and chemical burns are common in jobs that require handling hazardous materials, such as manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and food service.
Skin diseases can cause severe itching, pain, blisters, and infections, leading to difficulty in performing daily tasks. If an employee develops a work-related skin condition, they may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits to cover medical treatment, lost wages, and necessary accommodations.
However, proving that the condition is occupational often requires medical reports, employer safety records, and documentation of exposure to harmful substances.
- Work-Related Cancer from Toxic Exposure
Exposure to toxic substances like asbestos, benzene, and industrial chemicals can lead to various types of cancer, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, leukemia, and bladder cancer. Workers in industries such as construction, chemical manufacturing, and firefighting face a higher risk of developing occupational cancers due to repeated contact with carcinogenic materials.
One of the biggest challenges in workers’ compensation claims for occupational cancer is the long latency period. Many cancers develop decades after exposure, making it difficult to establish a direct link between the workplace and the illness. Workers must often rely on medical experts, workplace safety records, and exposure studies to support their claims.
Despite the complexities, many states recognize occupational cancer as a compensable condition under workers’ compensation laws.
- Infectious Diseases Contracted in the Workplace
Healthcare workers and emergency responders are at high risk of contracting infectious diseases due to frequent exposure to bloodborne pathogens and viruses. In such workers, conditions such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, and COVID-19 have been recognized as occupational illnesses.
Proving that an infectious disease was contracted at work can be difficult because exposure can occur in multiple settings. However, employees who can demonstrate a high-risk work environment may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
Medical records and employer safety protocols can be important in strengthening a claim for an occupational infectious disease.
- Mental Health Conditions Due to Workplace Stress
Psychological disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety can result from prolonged exposure to workplace stress or trauma. Employees in high-risk professions like law enforcement, healthcare, and military service are particularly vulnerable to work-related mental health conditions.
Mental health-related workers’ compensation claims are often challenging because emotional distress is more difficult to prove than physical injuries. Employees seeking benefits for a work-related mental health condition must provide evidence of workplace stressors and testimony from mental health professionals.
In some states, proving that a psychological condition is work-related requires demonstrating that it was caused by extraordinary work-related stress beyond what is typical in the profession.
- Chronic Illnesses Caused by Prolonged Workplace Exposure
Long-term exposure to hazardous work environments can lead to chronic illnesses such as kidney disease, cardiovascular conditions, and autoimmune disorders. Employees who handle toxic substances and work in extreme temperatures may develop chronic health conditions that severely impact their ability to work.
Unlike acute workplace injuries, chronic illnesses often take years to show their symptoms. This makes it difficult to connect them directly to workplace conditions. Successful workers’ compensation claims for chronic illnesses require detailed medical documentation, workplace exposure assessments, and expert testimony.
Despite the challenges, employees suffering from chronic work-related illnesses should not hesitate to pursue compensation for their medical care and financial stability.
