Anybody who works for a living is at risk of suffering a work-related illness. Even if you work a desk job, you could sustain a work-related illness. For example, accountants who work in old buildings could develop mesotheliomas from exposure to asbestos. Nurses can get terribly sick from communicating with sick patients all day. As long as your Tampa workers compensation lawyer can prove that your illness is directly related to your job, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be eligible for workers compensation.
Of course, the same limitations apply to workers suffering from a work-related illness as they do for regular injuries. Your Florida workers comp attorney still has to prove that you meet the other criteria for workers comp. Here, we will talk about some of the more common work-related illnesses our clients suffer from. We will also explain what you need to do to ensure that your workers’ compensation claim is approved.
Workers Compensation Covers a Host of Injuries and Illnesses
When people get hurt on the job, they can usually count on workers compensation to cover their injuries. As long as your Florida workers comp attorney can demonstrate that your injuries are work-related, you should be entitled to workers compensation benefits. It depends on whether you meet the requirements for workers comp in Florida. There are certain injuries and illnesses that can obviously be tied to your job. There are others, such as certain types of cancer, that can also be related to your personal habits. Our goal is to help our clients get the workers compensation benefits they are entitled to.
Any Repetitive Stress Injuries Will Likely Be Covered
While some may argue that carpal tunnel syndrome is not an illness, it is included here for obvious reasons. Any repetitive stress injury can be associated with your job. One of the most common repetitive stress injuries is carpal tunnel syndrome. This injury is common with casino dealers and administrative workers. Anybody who is forced to type for hours on end are at risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. The same is true for other repetitive stress injuries like bursitis and tendonitis. The key will be whether your Tampa workers compensation lawyer can prove that your job caused your injuries.
Work-Related Cancer is Typically Covered by Workers Comp
One of the most difficult types of workers comp cases to handle are those involving cancer. This is especially true for people diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is a type of cancer that almost always results in death. Workers who suffer from mesothelioma usually work in a job that requires them to be exposed to asbestos. It is not only construction workers who are exposed to this poison. People who work in the dental field, including the manufacturing of dental compounds, are exposed to asbestos. The same is true for people who work in older buildings that have never been treated for asbestos removal.
Toxic Poisoning Would Usually Be Covered
Depending on the type of work you do, you may be forced to work with dangerous chemicals. For example, if you work in construction, you may be exposed to toxic substances on a daily basis. You could be working on a home renovation and find asbestos behind the walls. Or you may find out that the house you are working on had lead paint. These things, over time, can cause very serious illnesses.
Blindness and Hearing Loss are Almost Always Covered
Two work-related illnesses that are almost always covered are blindness and hearing loss. In most of the cases our Tampa workers compensation lawyers handle involving either blindness or hearing loss, our clients end up being declared totally disabled. They may not be able to work ever again. This is the sort of case that ends up settling for a lump sum. While you may not be able to resolve your illness with medical intervention, you should still be entitled to compensation for your disability.
Your Tampa Workers Compensation Lawyer Will Have to Prove Your Illness is Work Related
As with any other workers compensation case, your Tampa workers compensation lawyer must demonstrate that you meet the basic criteria for workers comp. For example, you must be able to prove the following things:
- Your injury took place on the job
- You were hurt on company property and on company time
- You were not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of your accident
- You report your accident and injuries to management or Human Resources right away
- You agree to be treated by a state-approved workers comp doctor
- You must comply with your treatment plan
As long as you meet these criteria, your claim should be approved.
Contact Our Office So You Can Schedule an Appointment with One of Our Florida Workers Comp Attorney
If you’re having a hard time getting workers compensation benefits, you should contact one of our Florida workers comp attorneys. Over the years, our firm has represented clients suffering from all sorts of injuries and illnesses. As compared to a physical injury, it can be a lot harder to prove that your illness is work-related. For example, if you have been diagnosed with cancer, your employer may argue that the diagnosis has nothing to do with your job. It may not sound fair, but your employer’s insurance carrier’s job is to pay as few claims as possible. The more they pay out in workers compensation claims, the higher your employer’s insurance premiums. Our Tampa workers compensation lawyers have extensive experience dealing with insurance companies. We know the law and we are also familiar with the tactics the insurance adjusters employ.
We recommend that you call our office so you can schedule your free, initial consultation. We believe it makes sense to sit down with a potential client before we agree to represent them in their workers’ comp case. If there is very little evidence that your illness is related to your job, it may not be possible for your Florida workers comp attorney to negotiate payment of your claim. Of course, since every case is different, we like to meet with every client first and hear their story. The free consultation also gives you a chance to sit down and determine if you want to retain our services. If you choose to move forward, you won’t have to pay anything upfront. Our attorneys do not collect their fee until your case is settled or otherwise resolved.
