There is a good reason Respiratory Illnesses at work are rising. People who work in factories, on construction sites, as printers, or even in the food service industry are more likely to get severe respiratory illnesses. These diseases can cause long-term health problems and, in some cases, even death. Even though there is no one way to avoid getting a respiratory illness at work, knowing your rights as an employee and taking some precautions can help you stay healthy.
Occupational Respiratory Illness
Workers in many industries are at risk of getting respiratory illnesses from their jobs. Several things, like breathing in dust, fumes, and other airborne particles, can cause these illnesses. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health says that one in five workers in the United States have had at least one respiratory illness caused by their job.
Every year, about 5.5 million people who work in the United States get the respiratory disease. About 120,000 of them end up in the hospital, and 2,500 die from their illness.
Some of the most common respiratory illnesses caused by work are:
– Asthma
– Bronchitis
– Pneumonia
– Lung Cancer
To know more about other Occupational Illnesses, read here.
More About Respiratory Illness.
More people have been getting sick from breathing problems at work in the past few years. It could be because more people are getting jobs where they have to be around dangerous dust, fumes, and gases. It could also be because people use more safety gear that doesn’t always work well.
If you have breathing problems that don’t go away after leaving work, you need to see a doctor. Many respiratory illnesses that happen at work can be treated if they are caught early, but they can cause long-term health problems if they aren’t.
Employers need to know the risks of each job and take steps to keep workers from being exposed to them. It will keep workers from getting respiratory illnesses. Employees should also know how to protect themselves from getting a respiratory disease and recognize the signs of one.
Your Legal Rights As An Injured Employee
Workers who have lung diseases have certain legal rights. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says that employers are responsible for ensuring their workers are safe and healthy at work. It includes keeping workers safe from things that could cause lung diseases.
You may ask what your legal alternatives are if you caught a respiratory illness at work. You have rights if you get wounded at work.
1. Under the workers’ compensation benefits system, you have the right to a monetary settlement. If your respiratory illness keeps you from working, you might be able to get help from your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance.
2. You might be able to go to court against your boss. Let’s say you can show that your job caused your lung disease.
3. You can file a complaint with OSHA if you get a respiratory illness.
Occupational Respiratory Illness and Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that helps workers who get hurt on the job or get sick because of it. With a few exceptions, most employers in the United States have to pay for workers’ compensation.
The states run the program, and each state unit has its own rules and policies. If you got sick at work because of the air you were breathing, you can file a worker compensation claim. It is essential to talk to an experienced lawyer as soon as possible to find out if you can make a claim.
How to file a Workers’ Compensation claim for Occupational Respiratory Illness?
Filing for an occupational respiratory illness can be confusing, so here are some steps to help you through it.
1. Get your health records together. You will need to prove to the workers’ compensation board that you are sick.
2. Contact your employer. Tell them that you have a work-related respiratory illness and will be filing a workers’ compensation claim.
3. File your claim. With the help of a skilled Workers’ Compensation lawyer, you can do this.Pistiolas Law is a Workers’ Comp law firm that can help you avoid getting an occupational respiratory illness. Our team of skilled lawyers can help you build a plan that complies with local laws. Please visit our website or call us at (844) 414-1768 to learn more about the laws that apply to your situation.
