Quite a few people may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits since most people know that if they are injured in an accident on the job. You may also be eligible for benefits due to conditions in the workplace though not many people are aware that if you develop an occupational disease, however. With this in mind, we at Kajioka and Associates, Attorneys at Law, would like to help you understand occupational disease.
What is Occupational Disease?
Covered in NRS Chapter 617 under Nevada Law are the occupational diseases. Because of someone’s workplace or work activity, an occupational disease is a medical condition that occurs. They have a detrimental impact on a worker’s everyday life since they are typically chronic conditions. It must be demonstrated that there is a connection between the condition and the work performed, that the condition was caused by employment, and that there was nothing outside of work that could have caused the condition in order to establish that a worker has an occupational disease. Medical evidence that it is more likely than not that their medical condition was caused by their work must be shown by a worker. It is crucial that you report it to your employer if you are diagnosed with an occupational disease.
What are Some Examples of Occupational Illnesses?
Depending on the work and working conditions, there a wide range of medical conditions that could constitute occupational diseases. Occupational diseases, some examples include the list below.
1) Skin Conditions: Leading to debilitating skin conditions in some instances, contact or exposure to toxic substances.
2) Repetitive/Stress Injuries: Resulting from repetitive tasks related to someone’s work are conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and back pain.
3) Hearing Loss: Permanent hearing loss is generally the result of workers who perform their jobs in noisy environments.
4) Cancer: It may be an occupational disease in the event exposure to toxic chemicals or other substances in the workplace leads to cancer.
5) Mesothelioma / Asbestosis: The development of these conditions can be due to because exposure to asbestos in the workplace.
What is the Most Dangerous Part of Being a Firefighter?
In order for it to be considered an occupational disease, workers must establish a connection between their jobs and their medical condition, generally. There is a presumption that some conditions were caused by the work, and for some professions, such as firefighters and arson investigators. These conditions include heart disease, lung disease, contagious diseases, and cancer for firefighters.
Common Occupational Disease
Dermatitis: Accounting for 15% to 20% of all reported occupational diseases in the U.S. Contact dermatitis is caused by a wide array of physical, biological or chemical agents. The most important cause of occupational skin diseases is allergic and irritant dermatitis according to NIOSH.
Respiratory illnesses: Disease of the lung and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases including asthma. Asthma is considered to be the most common occupational lung disease according to OHCOW.
With the disease being most prevalent in the auto parts, foam and plastic manufacturing industries, OHCOW states that there are over 300 chemicals in the workplace that are known to cause asthma.
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Additional occupational diseases include Musculoskeletal disorders, hearing loss, cancer, stress and mental health disorders, as well as infectious diseases. If you believe you are a victim of an occupational disease, call Kajioka & Associates, Attorneys at Law to make a consultation appointment to discuss your options.
