Do you believe you’re suffering from an illness that occurred at work or because of your working environment? Then you may have what is known as an occupational disease.
What is an occupational disease? It’s really any disease or illness you’ve developed because of your working conditions. Some types of injuries will also fall under the heading of occupational disease. Let’s take a look at some examples.
Examples of Occupational Diseases and Illnesses
Any worker can suffer an occupational disease. If you are working in an older building, for example, you may be breathing in harmful chemicals or mold spores—and you have no idea that it’s affecting your health. Many diseases and illnesses happen over time, and you won’t notice them until your health has been seriously impacted.
Another example is if you work in construction and are exposed to loud noises on a daily basis; so much exposure to loud noise can cause hearing loss. The loss of your hearing, whether partial or total, is considered an occupational disease. Below, see a list of common occupational diseases and illnesses:
- Repetitive motion disorders like carpal tunnel disorder
- Hearing problems caused by too much exposure to loud noise
- Vision issues
- A variety of illnesses caused by breathing, touching, or swallowing dangerous substances
- Radiation exposure
- Exposure to germs and serious illnesses when working in healthcare
What Can I Do if I Discover I Have an Occupational Disease?
The state of New York allows most workers to file for workers compensation if they’ve been injured on the job—and that includes those who have developed occupational diseases.
Not every disease will qualify, and you must be able to prove your case. This means you must provide evidence that your illness came from your employment, either because of the work you do or the environment you’ve been exposed to.
A Work Comp Attorney Can Get You the Compensation You Need
Understanding what an occupational disease is will help you determine whether you have one. Filing for workers compensation can be difficult, and proving your case can be a headache. But an attorney at Finkelstein, Meirowitz & Eidlisz, LLP can assist you with the filing process from start to finish.
Call us at 212-385-9190 to discuss your case during a free consultation, or fill out the online contact form below.