What to Know About Occupational Disease & Workers’ Compensation From the Top Attorneys in Atlanta: Cruz & Associates

Posted in Workers Compensation

An occupational disease is a condition or disorder that results from the nature of your work. In other words, it’s an illness you would not have otherwise contracted if not for your job. Unfortunately, work-related illnesses can happen slowly over time, but have lasting impact on employees.

Cruz & Associates is here to support workers in Atlanta, Fulton, Gwinnett and Cobb. If you’ve fallen ill with an occupational disease, our experienced attorneys are available to ensure you receive necessary workers’ compensation benefits.

Common Occupational Diseases

Respiratory Illnesses

Asthma is considered one of the most common occupational diseases. Working in environments with high amounts of chemicals, dust, or other irritants in the air heightens your chance of asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

Dermatitis

Dermatitis makes up 15 to 20% of occupational disease cases in the United States. Many different chemical, biological and physical agents could contribute to dermatitis and even lead to chronic skin conditions.

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Any profession that requires repetitive movement, heavy lifting, awkward physical positions, or hard work with little breaks could cause musculoskeletal disorders. Common disorders include carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis.

Hearing Loss

Employees working in mining, construction, manufacturing or similar fields are at high risk for hearing loss and auditory issues. If left unmitigated, hearing loss could become permanent.

Stress & Mental Health Disorders

Many lines of work are at higher risk for extreme stress and mental health disorders. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is especially common in military, law enforcement and health care industries.

Cancer, Infectious Diseases and More

Workers exposed to asbestos and other harmful chemicals may have a higher chance of getting various forms of cancer. Medical workers are also at higher risk for serious, long-term bloodborne and airborne diseases.

How the Workers’ Compensation Process Works

A workers’ compensation claim must be filed within one year of your injury, so it’s recommended you begin the process as soon as possible. First, you must notify your employer of the incident so they can report the injury to the insurance company as well as the ICA. Even if your injury does not require emergency medical attention, it’s still essential to visit your physician after your incident. This validates your injury as well as ensures you get the proper medical treatment. At the doctor, you can opt to fill out a Worker’s and Physician’s Report of Injury instead of submitting a Worker’s Report of Injury form on your own. Your doctor will submit this form to the ICA.

After your claims have been filed, you will receive a letter of acknowledgement from the ICA within two weeks. Your employer’s insurance company will then decide whether or not to grant or deny your benefits. You should expect to receive a final answer within 21 days.

Schedule Your No-Cost Consultation Today

Physical injuries aren’t the only ailments that qualify for workers’ compensation. If you believe you’re entitled to workers’ compensation benefits as a result of damaged occupational health from your workplace, reach out to Cruz & Associates.

Our skilled attorneys can help Atlanta-area employees get the financial support they need. To schedule your free consultation, fill out our online contact form or call our Atlanta office today.