What is an industrial or occupational disease?
Any chronic condition or sickness that occurs as a result of your occupation or work activity is referred to as an industrial or occupational disease. It is one of the facets of occupational health and safety and is usually identified when it occurs more prevalently in a specific group of employees rather than in the general population. Industrial or occupational diseases do not include hazards that are traumatic in nature, such as when a construction worker falls from the upper story of a structure.
In most jurisdictions, where worker’s compensation laws are concerned, it is often the case that specific diseases result from the worker being in a particular work environment. Therefore, the burden of proof falls on the employer or their insurance company to prove that the condition resulted from other causes and not the job. Some of the more common industrial or occupational diseases include:
- Lung diseases – e.g. asbestosis or occupational asthma resulting from inhalation
- Skin diseases – e.g. eczema or skin cancer resulting from chemical exposure or having wet hands over long periods of time
- Other diseases – e.g. carpal tunnel or lead poisoning
Regardless of the type of industrial or occupational disease you succumb to, you will most likely be entitled to worker’s compensation benefits.
Other industrial/occupational disease concerns
In recent years, there have been numerous worker’s compensation cases arising from more specific industrial/occupational diseases. The following are now becoming more prevalent in the workplace:
Asbestosis and Mesothelioma – both of these concern the inhalation of asbestos fibers and particles over prolonged periods of time. Asbestosis is medical condition that is a chronic fibrotic and inflammatory lung condition. It is classified therefore classified as an industrial/occupational lung disease. Prolonged exposure to asbestos evolves into very serious diseases such as lung cancer and/or mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is another industrial/occupational lung disease and a rare type of lung cancer and develops from many of the internal organs’ protective linings. It is typically caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos but is most commonly found in:
- The internal chest wall and outer lung lining (pleura)
- The abdominal cavity lining (peritoneum)
- The sac surrounding the heart (pericardium)
Immune system damage – typically occurs as a result of being exposed to toxins. A primary example of this would be lead or mercury poisoning.
RSI’s or Repetitive Strain Injuries – also referred to as repetitive motion or repetitive stress injuries, these are typically injuries to the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. They can be caused by:
- forceful exertions
- mechanical compression
- repetitive tasks
- sustained awkward positions
- vibrations
Here at Ginsberg Law Offices, we handle workers’ comp claims arising from occupational or industrial diseases. If you suffer from such a condition due to your job, we welcome you to contact us by filling out the Free Case Review form found on this website.
