Can I Get Workers’ Compensation for Illnesses?
The majority of people think of workers’ compensation as benefits paid for injuries a worker sustains while doing their job. However, workers’ compensation is a system that also encompasses a whole range of illnesses that workers can suffer from because of the workplace conditions. There are certain jobs and workplaces that are conducive to the development of specific illnesses. This article will present some of the most frequent illnesses caused by the workplace environment.
Heatstroke
Even though construction workers are exceptionally susceptible to heatstroke, this health issue can affect pretty much anyone who works in the open. Extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, and insufficient hydration can lead to nausea, headaches and many more uncomfortable and possibly dangerous conditions. Workplaces that force employees to work in the open field should have protective equipment and safety procedures to prevent instances of heatstroke.
Impaired hearing
There are numerous workplaces that contribute to impaired hearing in workers. In some cases, untreated hearing problems can result in hearing loss. This health problem is an occupational hazard in work environments with increased noise levels. In addition to the general hearing loss, workers can also suffer from tinnitus. Tinnitus is when a person hears persistent ringing, whistling or buzzing sound. Maybe you have experienced it after a loud concert.
Impaired hearing can seriously hamper not only telephone conversations, but face-to-face communication as well. Tinnitus is known to cause sleep disturbance and overall irritability. For this reason, very noisy workplaces are mandated to have protective equipment and to train the workers on using the equipment properly.
Impaired eyesight
Impaired eyesight is a common consequence of prolonged exposure to computer screens. Those who work in offices at computers daily strain their eyes. Sometimes, this leads to impairment that can turn into a permanent condition if there’s no timely treatment. It’s possible to use some devices to mitigate this problem and workers can perform some exercises to avert the issue.
Asthma
Individuals who never before suffered from asthma can develop this condition because of exposure to certain substances in the air in their workplace. If this is the case, the condition is labelled as ‘occupational asthma’. If this respiratory condition is pre-existing, it can be aggravated by the workplace.
Many environment conditions and chemicals can cause or worsen asthma, the most typical ones being dust, sawdust and chlorine. Once the individual experiences a hypersensitive reaction to the substance, the condition cannot be reversed. The individual will experience asthma attacks every time they get in contact with the trigger.
Dermatitis
Dermatitis is a very broad term for skin inflammation. It’s quite widespread and has many forms of manifestation, which range in terms of severity. Mild dermatitis will reflect in skin redness, rash and an itching sensation. Extreme forms of dermatitis include blisters and boils.
Dermatitis can be part of an allergic reaction or it can be the body’s response to some irritants. Allergic dermatitis is body’s hypersensitive reaction to an allergen. Irritant-provoked dermatitis is more common in workplaces. Substances and chemicals known to cause skin irritation are found in cleaning products, solvents and adhesives, and even some plants and dirty water.
Seek professional legal help for your workers’ compensation case
If you suspect that you contracted an illness as result of your work environment, it’s probably best to seek the help of an experienced work comp attorney. Work injury lawyers have the necessary knowledge and experience to navigate through the workers’ compensation process and communicate with your employer’s insurance carrier in a way that fully protects your rights. There’s no need for you to be a victim. Get in touch with an aggressive, experienced and ethical work injury attorney and ensure you recover the compensation you deserve!
