Occupational diseases and workplace injuries are both conditions that workers suffer from every day. Although you can file a workers’ compensation claim for either one, it’s important to understand the differences between them. At Nappa, Monterosso, & Poznansky, LLP, we help injured workers in the greater New York City area obtain the benefits and compensation they need for work-related injuries and conditions.
What Is an Occupational Disease?
Occupational diseases are health conditions caused by exposure to hazards in the workplace. Unlike other types of workplace injuries, they typically develop over time. Common causes of occupational diseases include:
- Toxic chemical exposure– Workers in industries such as construction, demolition, manufacturing, mining, and agriculture are often exposed to dangerous substances. Occupational lung diseases, certain types of cancers, skin conditions, and other illnesses can develop when someone is exposed to asbestos, benzene, silica dust, and other hazardous substances.
- Repetitive motion– Jobs that require repetitive movements such as operating machinery or typing can lead to repetitive strain injuries and musculoskeletal disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Stressful work environments– Exposure to traumatic events and high levels of job-related stress can contribute to mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). First responders and health care professionals are particularly susceptible to developing mental health conditions due to job stress.
Symptoms of occupational diseases vary widely depending on the specific condition and circumstances. If you’ve been diagnosed with a work-related condition, having an occupational disease lawyer assist you with a workers’ compensation claim can make the process less intimidating and lead to a successful outcome for your case.
Workplace Injuries
Workplace injuries usually occur unexpectedly while performing on-the-job duties. Unlike occupational diseases that develop over a period of months or years, workplace injuries involve a specific event and have an apparent and identifiable cause. Slip-and-fall accidents, malfunctioning equipment, falling from heights, overexertion, being struck by falling objects, and motor vehicle crashes are common causes of workplace injuries. Other types of workplace injuries include:
- Warehouse injuries
- Lifting injuries
- Injuries sustained in industrial accidents
- Spine, neck, and back injuries
- Sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries
- Electrocution
- Burns
Workplace injuries can occur in any industry, but working in construction, agricultural, manufacturing, or industrial settings can be particularly dangerous. If you’ve been hurt on the job, it’s good to have a workplace injury lawyer evaluate your case and advise you on the most effective course of action to obtain all the benefits that may be available to you.
Understanding the Difference Between Occupational Disease and Workplace Injury
If you’re suffering from a work-related condition, it’s vital to understand the factors that set them apart from each other. Although you should be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for either one, these workplace injury claims can look very different.
The major difference between occupational disease and workplace injury is the nature of and manifestation of the condition. Illness or disease is a medical condition that usually affects a workers’ overall long-term health. Some examples include occupational hearing loss, lung diseases, and cancers.
A workplace injury refers to bodily harm caused by an accident, fall, overexertion, or another type of incident. The seriousness of workplace injuries varies widely, and can range from minor muscle strains and bruises to head trauma, amputation, and back injuries. Although a work injury can have lifelong repercussions, with proper treatment and care most injuries do not have a permanent or long-term impact on a worker’s health like occupational diseases do.
Because symptoms and signs of workplace injuries are usually immediate, they can be observed right away. However, occupational diseases like asbestosis, mesothelioma, and hearing loss can take decades to develop and manifest symptoms, which can make it harder to prove the link between the illness and workplace. Occupational injuries have an immediate onset, occurring suddenly due to an incident or accident, which makes many of these claims fairly straightforward.
In addition, medical treatments for an occupational disease vs. a workplace injury are usually quite different. When someone is injured on the job, the aim of medical care is usually to address immediate physical harm and restore the person’s health through treatment, surgery, and rehabilitation, depending on the injury. Occupational diseases may require more extensive, long-term treatment and significant lifestyle changes.
Impact on Workers’ Compensation Claims
There are many ways in which occupational disease claims differ from workplace injury claims. Depending on the circumstances, the statute of limitations for filing a workers’ compensation claim in New York may be longer for an occupational disease, depending on when a worker discovered they had a work-related illness.
In addition, occupational disease claims are often much more complex than work injury claims. It can be challenging to prove that a condition or illness was directly caused by someone’s job duties or work environment. Regardless of whether you’re suffering from a work-related illness or injury, it’s crucial to have an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer evaluate your case and advise you of your options. Hiring a seasoned work injury attorney from team Nappa, Monterosso & Poznansky, LLP, can give you a better chance of obtaining the full amount of benefits and compensation you may be entitled to receive.
Contact Our Workplace Injury Attorneys in the Greater NYC Area
At Nappa, Monterosso & Poznansky, LLP, our workers’ compensation lawyers and Social Security disability attorneys have decades of experience helping injured workers throughout the greater New York City area. If you need assistance with a claim or appeal, call us at 718-273-9000 or contact us to schedule a free case evaluation with a workplace injury lawyer or occupational disease. Attorney and partner Rolando Cubela proudly serves our Spanish-speaking clients.
