Top Five Occupational Diseases

Falls and other trauma injuries account for many workers’ compensation claims in Florida. Occupational diseases, conditions which arise over the course of more than one work shift, make up the rest. These claims are normally complex, mostly because a pre-existing or non-work condition usually contributes to the occupational disease.

A Tampa workers’ compensation lawyer can usually obtain maximum benefits in these situations. An insurance company typically cannot use a victim’s vulnerability, like a pre-existing condition, against him/her. These benefits usually include lost wage replacement and reasonable medical bill payment.

Hearing Loss

Humming machinery, distant aircraft, and other such background noise often exceeds 35 decibels, which is roughly the sound a blender makes. 35 decibels is loud enough to damage hearing but not loud enough to trigger mandatory government hearing protection requirements. The hearing damage is usually permanent.

Hearing loss has emotional effects as well as physical effects. People who cannot hear well usually withdraw from friends, family, and community activities. In some cases, these people also get angry because they cannot follow conversations, especially if a noise source, like a radio or TV, is on in the room. Raging Bull Jake LaMotta was mostly deaf in one ear.

Early intervention usually addresses hearing loss issues. But most people don’t immediately seek medical help if their hearing deteriorates. If the injury gets worse, radical and risky eardrum surgery might be the only treatment option.

Repetitive Joint Motion

Office workers and factory workers alike often deal with hearing loss. Likewise, a repetitive stress injury could strike an office worker or a factory worker.

Office workers often overuse their eyes and wrists. Common issues include computer vision syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome. Rest often cures eyestrain and the extreme pain and partial paralysis of carpal tunnel syndrome. But rest isn’t an option in many cases. People simply cannot afford to take time off.

As mentioned, a Tampa workers’ compensation lawyer obtains money for lost wages as well as medical bills. Therefore, job injury victims have the financial resources they need to get better, so they can go back to work full strength.

Toxic Exposure

Asbestos might be the most dangerous kind of toxic exposure. A single fiber could cause mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of heart-lung cancer. This disease has a long latency period. Many asbestos exposure victims are sick for seventy years before they show any physical symptoms. At that time, doctors cannot do much except make the patient more comfortable.

Asbestos is pretty much everywhere, especially in buildings built before 1980. It’s hard to pin down an exposure point. Fortunately, the burden of proof is low in workers’ compensation matters. A likely exposure point is sufficient to obtain maximum benefits.

Back Problems

These issues are similar to the repetitive motion injuries listed above. Many people squat, bend, and stoop a lot at work. The back can only take so much movement. Long term back problems include herniated disks, pinched nerves, and other conditions that are difficult to treat.

PTSD

The Florida Workers’ Compensation Law only applies in limited situations in this area. However, lawmakers recently expanded some key provisions. Therefore, many Post Traumatic Stress Disorder victims are now entitled to substantial benefits. Work-related PTSD is usually complicated PTSD, which is the cumulative effect of many moderately stressful situations, like screaming bosses and tight deadlines.

 Rely on a Hard-Hitting Hillsborough County Attorney

Injury victims are entitled to important financial benefits. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Tampa, contact Kobal Law. Virtual, home, and hospital visits are available.

Source:

britannica.com/science/occupational-disease