Jackson Occupational Illness Attorney
Workers’ Compensation for Job-Related Health Conditions
An occupational illness is any disease or medical condition that arises in relation to one’s employment. In Mississippi, most workers who are diagnosed with work-related illnesses are entitled to workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system that provides benefits to employees who require medical treatment and/or are unable to work temporarily or permanently due to a work-related injury or health condition.
Because it is a no-fault system, you do not need to prove that your employer—or anyone else—was negligent, reckless, or otherwise to blame for your condition in order to receive benefits. In exchange, you cannot sue your employer for damages.
If you or someone you love was diagnosed with an occupational illness, we encourage you to reach out to an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer for help with your claim. At ‘MAGGIO LAW, our Jackson occupational illness attorneys have extensive experience in this particular area of law. We proudly represent workers throughout Mississippi who have suffered debilitating medical conditions as a result of their employment and have successfully recovered hundreds of millions in compensation for our clients.
We can help you with your workers’ compensation claim. Call (601) 265-6869 or contact us online today to get started with a free, no-obligation consultation.
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Common Occupational Illnesses
Workers across all industries are at risk of developing various health conditions as a result of their employment, working conditions, or workplace environment. These conditions can range widely from industry to industry, but some are more universal than others. Some of the most common occupational illnesses include:
Cancer
Workers exposed to harmful substances and environments are often at risk of developing various forms of cancer. These range from mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure to lung cancer due to smoke inhalation, as well as bladder cancer, leukemia, and other types of cancer. Some workers are at an increased risk of being diagnosed with job-related cancer, including construction workers, firefighters, agricultural workers, and more.
Respiratory Diseases
Respiratory diseases are another common type of occupational illness, with certain workers in specific industries at a higher risk than others. Some common work-related respiratory diseases include asthma, asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), tuberculosis, and lung damage. These and other respiratory illnesses can lead to a wide range of complications and may even be fatal.
Skin Disorders
Workers who are required to handle hazardous substances, toxic chemicals, and other harmful items are at a heightened risk of developing a range of occupational skin disorders. Some of the most common of these include rashes, infections, inflammation, allergic reactions, dermatitis, eczema, and skin cancer. These conditions may require extensive medical treatment and can be debilitating, leaving workers temporarily or permanently disabled.
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is a relatively common occupational illness, most often affecting workers exposed to continuous loud noises, such as construction, mining, and manufacturing workers. Employers in these and similar industries are required to provide safety training and equipment to workers, as well as ensure compliance with state and federal safety standards. However, these guidelines are not always followed—and workers are the ones who pay the price.
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs, tend to develop over time. Repetitive motion injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis, are examples of common MSDs. These disorders are commonly caused by repetitive motions, overuse, overexertion, strain, awkward positions, improper lifting, lack of rest breaks, excessively high work demands, and related issues.
Mental Health Disorders
Certain mental health disorders—including stress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—are considered occupational illnesses when they arise as a result of one’s employment. Note that, to be considered an occupational illness for which filing a workers’ compensation claim is appropriate, a mental health disorder or condition must be extreme and/or disabling. Certain individuals, including military servicemembers and police officers, are at a higher risk of developing these types of occupational health conditions.
Note that this is not an exhaustive list. If you were diagnosed with any type of health condition or disease related to your work, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.
What Benefits Are Available?
Eligible employees who are diagnosed with occupational diseases may qualify for certain workers’ compensation benefits. These include:
- Medical benefits
- Temporary partial or total disability
- Permanent partial or total disability
- Vocational rehabilitation
When an occupational disease is fatal, surviving family members—including spouses, children, and other dependents and heirs—may be eligible for death benefits through the workers’ compensation system. Our Jackson occupational disease attorneys at ‘MAGGIO LAW can help you understand your legal rights and options. We are here to guide you through the process of recovering your benefits, from filing your initial claim to appealing a denied claim or fighting to reverse the early termination of your benefits.
