Most jobs aren’t all sunshine and rainbows. Many individuals work in less than ideal conditions and are exposed to potentially toxic substances every single day. While many employers have necessary safety procedures in place to account for these dangers, it’s inevitable that some workers will eventually be exposed to harmful substances. If this has happened to you and you’ve become sick or developed a specific health condition as a result of this exposure, we want to talk with you.
If your job is making you sick or you’ve developed an illness as a result of your employment, know that you have compensation options. In today’s blog, we explain what steps you should take if you’ve contracted a health issue and you believe your job is to blame.
When Your Job Makes You Ill
As we’ve discussed on the blog in the past, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be able to pursue compensation for illnesses like the common cold or a virus that’s going around the office unless extenuating circumstances exist. However, if your health issue is more severe, and you believe its onset is tied to your work duties, you can collect compensation. Common health issues that could be causing you to feel ill that can develop due to workplace conditions include:
- Respiratory disorders (asthma, COPD, etc.)
- Skin conditions like dermatitis
- Cancer
- Complications associated with chemical poisoning
- Heart attack and stroke
- Blood-borne illnesses
- Vision or hearing loss
- Joint dysfunction or arthritis
If you believe that your work conditions have partially or fully contributed to your health issues, there are some specific steps you’ll need to take to give yourself the best chance at earning compensation.
Getting Compensation For Occupational Health Diseases
If you suspect that your health concern was a result of your work duties or work environment, here’s what you need to do:
1. Report Your Injuries– You aren’t going to be able to collect compensation for your injuries if they aren’t reported to management. Report the injuries you are dealing with so that a paper trail can be created. Even if you’re unsure if your work duties are to blame, report the symptoms you’re experiencing to a supervisor or HR.
2. Visit A Doctor– In order to be eligible for compensation, two things need to occur with your physician. First, they need to verify the existence of compensable injuries. They’ll conduct a medical exam and work to pinpoint a diagnosis, which you’ll include as part of your injury claim. Secondly, in their opinion, your injuries must be tied to your work duties. For example, if they believe your arthritis or hearing loss is tied to other activities or the natural aging process, you’re unlikely to win a workers’ compensation claim. However, if after discussing your work environment and daily duties, they believe that it’s more likely than not that your employment led to your current health issues, you’ll be able to use this professional opinion as a baseline for seeking compensation through an injury claim.
3. Connect With A Lawyer – The third and final step you’ll want to take is to connect with an injury lawyer in your area. They’ll be able to review all the evidence and build a strong claim that will be filed to your employer’s insurance provider. The insurance company won’t just approve all claims that come across their desk, so you’ll need a professional in your corner who can build a strong narrative and clearly showcase the interconnectedness of your injuries and your job duties. We’ve done this for countless clients, and we can do the same for you.
If you’ve put your health on the line and suffered consequences for your actions in the form of an occupational disease, we want to help you get the compensation you deserve. For more information about how you can get compensation if your job is making you sick, connect with Dean and the team at Margolis Law Firm today at (952) 230-2700.
