DuPage County Occupational Disease Lawyers

Attorneys in Addison and Wood Dale for Employment-Related Health Concerns

There are many different ways in which you could suffer harm at work. You could be injured in a workplace accident, or you might develop a repetitive motion injury from doing the same thing over and over again for many hours per day. In addition, you could also contract a disease or illness that may have serious effects on your long-term well-being and health. The good news is that the Illinois workers' compensation program generally offers benefits to employees who contract occupational diseases in the course of doing their jobs. Getting those benefits, however, often requires the help of a qualified work comp attorney.

At the Bensenville firm of Kaiser Law, our attorneys have been helping injured and ill workers for over 30 years. We have secured tens of millions of dollars in verdicts, settlements, and financial benefits for our clients, and we are equipped to guide you through the Illinois workers' compensation claims process. Our lawyers will help you complete all of the necessary steps for obtaining benefits and explore all other avenues of compensation, including the possibility of a third-party personal injury claim.

What Is an Occupational Disease?

An "occupational disease" is an abnormal health condition or disorder other than an injury that is contracted by a person primarily as a result of work or occupational activity. Sometimes, the word "disease" is used to describe such a condition if it is chronic, while "occupational illness" may describe a more temporary or curable condition. Many different diseases and illnesses can occur due to workplace conditions or work-related activities, including but not limited to:

• Lung disease: Inhaling fine particles of almost any substance can irritate the lungs and lead to disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and others. Farm workers, construction workers, and factory workers are often at an increased risk of lung disease. Workers who already have asthma may also find that their work activities have aggravated their pre-existing condition—which can also be covered by workers' compensation.
• Heart disease: High-stress jobs, as well as those that require overnights or long shifts, can contribute to work-related cardiovascular disease. Toxic fumes such as those found in engine exhaust and around active welding equipment can also lead to chronic heart disease.
• Cancer: Many workplaces use carcinogenic materials on a daily basis, and exposure to such materials can cause various types of cancer. Exposure to arsenic, for example, can cause a worker to develop lung, liver, skin, or bladder cancer. Likewise, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma—a cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs.
• Infectious disease: Workers in many occupations, including doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, police officers, and other first responders, may be exposed to bacteria or viruses in the course of doing their jobs. Such workers may contract illnesses such as hepatitis, measles, tuberculosis, and a variety of other infectious diseases.
• Brain disorders: In recent years, medical experts have linked repeated impacts to the head with the development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease that causes a host of problems for its victims. Athletes and those who work around explosives or in constricted spaces may be in danger of developing brain disorders.

Building Your Case in Cook County

At Kaiser Law, we realize that the most difficult part of most occupational disease claims is proving that the disease in question is work-related. Our attorneys have over a century of combined experience, and we know how to get results for our clients. We will fully review the circumstances of your illness and work to show that your work activities led to you contracting the disorder. From there, we will build a case designed to get you the benefits you need to put your life back on track.

Call 630-274-4400 Today

If you have been diagnosed with an illness or a disease that you think might be related to your job, contact our office for guidance. Call 630-274-4400 to schedule a no-cost consultation with one of our occupational illness attorneys today. We serve clients in Bensenville, Elmhurst, Elk Grove Village, Wood Dale, Addison, Park Ridge, Franklin Park, Cook County, DuPage County, and the rest of Northern Illinois.