According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “an ‘occupational disease’ is any disease contracted primarily as a result of…exposure to risk factors arising from work activity. ‘Work-related diseases’ have multiple causes, where factors in the work environment may play a role, together with other risk factors, in the development of such diseases.”
Discussion of workers’ comp issues revolves around work-related injuries, but work-related illnesses can be just as dangerous and arguably more damaging in the long run. Furthermore, work-related illnesses can be harder to prove than a bodily injury claim. This is why it is a good idea to contact a Lancaster workers’ comp attorney for a free case evaluation. If you have what you suspect may be a work-related illness, Vanasse Law LLC can help.
Some common work-related illnesses include:
The main obstacle facing work-related illnesses is that for any particular illness or condition, you have to show it is indeed “work-related.” In other words, you have to show a link between the illness or your job. For example, black lung disease is caused by inhaling coal dust over a long period of time.
If you are a miner working for decades in a coal mine, there is little doubt that your work caused black lung disease. However, if you work in an office building a block or so down the road, showing the link can start to become more difficult.
Furthermore, unlike an injury, there is typically not a single “triggering event” that leads to a work-related illness. The illness may not develop into noticeable symptoms for months, years, or even decades after exposure to an illness-causing toxin. This makes it even more difficult to show a clear link between the job and the illness.
This difficult situation becomes even more difficult if exposure to some toxin at work merely exacerbated a pre-existing illness, as it is not only difficult to establish the link between work and the illness, but you also have to be able to show how much of the illness was pre-existing, and how much was compounded by your exposure at work.
Despite these challenges, there is good news. The Lancaster job injury attorneys Vanasse Law LLC are experienced in this area. If you have suffered a work-related illness, let us help. Handling workers’ comp claims is all we do. Our experienced workers’ comp attorneys will help you examine your legal options, which may include third-party claims, and guide you through the claims process.
Let us help. Contact us online. You will receive a same-day response.
If you are a worker in Pennsylvania with a serious job-related injury or illness, you’ve likely considered this question: “What happens to my workers’ comp benefits if I lose my job?” The good news is, employers cannot retaliate against an employee for filing a workers’ comp claim. In other words, you cannot be fired for simply filing a workers’ comp claim.
However, there may be other circumstances under which you may lose your workers’ comp benefits, and the rules are complicated. If you are receiving workers’ comp benefits and lose your job for any reason, contact a Lancaster job injury attorney at Vanasse Law LLC. We’ll discuss your claim with you for free.
There are a variety of reasons why people quit their jobs after an injury, some of which include:
Remember: accidents are just accidents; nothing more, nothing less. The workers’ comp laws don’t consider who was at fault. Generally, if you suffer a job-related injury or illness, you are entitled to your benefits. For help with your workers’ comp claim, contact the Lancaster job injury attorneys at Vanasse Law LLC.
Your workers’ compensation benefits should not cease simply because you have been laid off or terminated from your employment. Put another way, a workers’ comp insurer should continue paying wage loss and medical benefits even though the employee no longer works for the employer.
If you have suffered a work-related injury, when you return to work is generally determined by your doctors. Most likely, a doctor will release an injured worker to return to work with some restrictions regarding what they can do or cannot do. Providing your doctors with specific information about your job duties will allow them to maintain a good idea of your job’s physical requirements.
Generally speaking, you shouldn’t have to lose your workers’ comp benefits just because you lose your job. If you have suffered a work-related injury or illness, contact a Lancaster job injury attorney Vanasse Law LLC. Workers’ comp claim is what we do. Our experienced workers’ comp attorneys will help you explore your legal options, which may include third-party claims, and help you with your claims.
Let us help. Contact us online for a same-day response and a free case evaluation.
30 East Roseville Road, Suite C
Lancaster, PA 17601
Phone: 717-397-1010
Office Hours:
After Hours: 717-471-2168
Fax: 717-397-2644
Vanasse Law LLC is conveniently located just north of center city Lancaster just off Route 30. We are in Sterling Center just off Lititz Pike/Route 501. Our office has plenty of free parking and is handicapped accessible.
Located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Vanasse Law LLC serves injured workers throughout Lancaster County and surrounding communities.
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