New York City Occupational Illness Lawyers
If You Have Developed an Illness Because of Your Working Conditions, Call Our NYC Personal Injury Lawyers Today
If you’ve been injured on the job, workers’ compensation coverage is fairly straightforward (which is not to say that you won’t have to fight for the compensation to which you are entitled). If you have been injured on the job, it’s relatively easy to connect the dots and to make your workers’ comp claim. If, on the other hand, you suffer from an occupational illness (an illness brought on by your work), it complicates the matter considerably. If you’re suffering from an occupational illness, you need the professional legal counsel of an experienced Brooklyn workers’ compensation attorney on your side.
Occupational Illnesses Explained
Occupational illnesses are specific conditions that are caused by exposure – generally over an extended period of time – to something on the job. This exposure often comes from one (or more) or three sources:
- Exposure to chemicals
- Exposure to biological compounds
- Exposure to physical conditions
When such exposure leads to an occupational illness, it is often an exceptionally difficult obstacle to live with. On top of this, occupational illness often manifest years after direct exposure, which makes occupational illness claims that much more complicated.
Exposure to Chemicals
Exposure to chemicals over protracted periods can lead to extremely serious and specific illnesses. For example, asbestosis is a disease caused by working with dangerous asbestos that can lead to deadly mesothelioma (a kind of cancer). Chemical exposure can also lead to dangerous skin conditions that sometimes resolve themselves once exposure ends but that sometimes manifest as serious cancers. For example, Vietnam veterans who were exposed to the dangerous chemical compound known as Agent Orange are vulnerable to a vast array of serious ailments that often develop many years after exposure.
Exposure to Biological Compounds
Working amid dangerous biological compounds over time can lead to extremely serious health conditions. For example, miners who are exposed to coal dust on a long-term basis are especially vulnerable to black lung disease.
Exposure to Physical Conditions
Exposure to certain kinds of physical conditions can also lead to occupational illnesses. For example, being exposed to extremely loud noises on the construction site or in a factory can lead to permanent hearing loss. Further, the repetitive motion inherent to many office jobs, construction work, and factory work can lead to serious repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) that are not only painful but can also be physically debilitating. Working under extremely stressful, dangerous, and/or monotonous work conditions – such as those found on some construction sites and in some factories – can also lead to stress-related ailments.
If You Suffer from an Occupational Illness, Consult with an Experienced Brooklyn Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today
Occupational illness claims are especially complicated and require experienced legal counsel. The knowledgeable workers’ compensation lawyers at Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman in Brooklyn care about your case and are committed to fighting for your rights and for the compensation necessary to achieve your fullest recovery. Our dedicated legal team is here to help, so please don’t hesitate to contact or call us at 212-285-3300 to schedule a free consultation today.
