How to Navigate an Occupational Disease Claim in Illinois

 Posted on March 23, 2024 in Workers' Compensation

Some types of work present risks of illnesses or diseases with long-lasting effects. When an employee in Illinois contracts a disease while at their job, they are generally entitled to workers’ compensation if their occupational disease claim is approved. If that happens, they can get the financial support and medical care coverage they need. An experienced Elk Grove Village, IL workers’ compensation attorney can help you submit a claim backed up with the proof you will need for your claim to be approved.

How Can You Show That Your Occupation Is Linked To Your Disease?

To get your occupational disease claim approved, you need to demonstrate either that it is linked to the work you do in some way or that your work exacerbated a medical issue you already had.

Some people suffer from a repetitive stress injury. Some part of their body needs to keep repeating a certain movement while they carry out their duties, and that movement causes injury in some way. Over time, the repetition of the movement can lead to significant pain. For a repetitive injury claim to be approved, the employee needs to demonstrate the movement in question and explain how it caused them to hurt.

Some people suffer illness or disease due to exposure to a hazardous material, and this can generally be a straightforward claim to prove. For example, if an employee is presenting the symptoms of asbestos exposure, it can be fairly straightforward to link this to their place of work. There are professionals whose job it is to inspect places for asbestos. Someone with symptoms of asbestos exposure who works in a place with asbestos exposure will likely face a fairly smooth procedure.

Some kinds of exposure are linked directly to illnesses. Asbestos exposure is a good example. Other types of exposure have varying levels of severity of the illness that develops based on how different peoples’ bodies react differently. In fact, while not all employees will develop occupational asthma, some will if they are exposed to workplace toxins.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Bensenville, IL Workers’ Compensation Attorney

If you believe something at your job is to blame for occupational injuries or diseases you are seeking coverage for, speak with a knowledgeable and compassionate Elmhurst, IL occupational disease lawyer to understand how best to file your claim. Call Kaiser Law at 630-274-4400 to schedule a free consultation.