There are certain occupations that can result in workers developing serious, disabling conditions that can affect them for a long time. These occupational diseases may be covered by the workers’ compensation system of Florida. Read on to learn more about these conditions and how they may have an effect on workers. If you believe you have sustained an occupational disease through your line of work, it is essential to contact a knowledgeable attorney workers comp specialist to guide you through the process. Call Asnis Srebnick & Kaufman for a free initial consultation today.
What Is An Occupational Disease?
Under Florida state law, occupational diseases are treated in the same way that workplace accident injuries are treated. If you can prove your disease to be an occupational disease, then it is compensable by workers compensation. You can find this out when you chat with an experinced notary public Brampton attorney. An occupational disease is defined as one in which the “nature of the employment” is the biggest contributing force behind the disease. Florida Statute 440.151 stipulates that the presence of the disease has to be proven by medical testing along with the examination of a physician, and the hazards of the disease have to be associated with the occupation and sufficient exposure to a specific, harmful, substance that needs to be proven to be present in the workplace in order to support causation. Some examples of common occupational or industrial diseases include:
- Lung diseases in miners and other workers
- Skin diseases in healthcare workers
- Carpal tunnel syndrome in computer workers
- Lead poisoning in industrial workers
- Radiation sickness in workers in the energy industry
Call An Experienced Attorney Workers Comp Specialist
In order to qualify for worker compensation, you need to be able to demonstrate that your disease was a direct result of your work with a particular employer. If you already had the disease when you started working with your employer, but neglected to inform the new employer in writing that you had previously been disabled or laid off or had already received compensation from the employer for that disease, then you are not eligible for worker compensation. You need to let your employer know within five months after the end of your exposure to the cause of the occupational disease, or within 90 days of when you were diagnosed or learned of the disability-related to your work. If you do not comply with the stipulations for giving notice inside the proper time frame, you will not be eligible for compensation.
Compensation For Illness
The financial award from workers compensation is engineered to assist workers in getting back the costs they may have incurred as a result of time off work due to illness or medical treatment and their medical expenses. In certain cases, you also may be able to claim damages for the pain and suffering that you have experienced. Death benefits may be payable to the family of the deceased if there is a loss of life.
Contact Us Today
It’s important to have an experienced Florida attorney workers comp specialist on your side. If you suspect you are the victim of an occupational disease, call Asnis Srebnick & Kaufman today!
