Every year approximately 13 million Americans are exposed to chemicals, dust, fibers and fumes in the workplace that can put an employee at risk for an occupational disease. In fact, some studies have shown 4 to 10 percent of all cancer in the United States is caused by exposure to dangerous substances in the workplace.
Can Employees’ Receive Compensation?
In most states, the employee will be able to file workers’ compensation and receive pay for lost income and medical bills if they were to contract an occupational disease while on the job.
There are a variety of industries where an employee could be exposed to dangerous substances that cause diseases but some are more common than others. Healthcare providers, miners, construction workers, diesel fuel workers, farmers and welders are some of the most common.
An occupational disease is not something that happens overnight but generally over a period of time. Proving you contracted the disease at work can be difficult and may require that you hire an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to help to prove your case.
Some of the most common occupational diseases that occur in the workplace include lower degenerative back disease, tendinitis, mesothelioma, asthma, chronic bronchitis, dermatitis, Parkinson’s disease, lung cancer and respiratory disease.
If you feel you have contracted an occupational disease, you should contact a doctor immediately. Then, you should contact an attorney with experience in workers’ compensation.