You have probably heard that workers’ compensation benefits exist to provide workers with compensation for any injuries they receive as a result of the functions of their job, but if you have ever learned years after starting your job that you are suffering from lung cancer, you may wonder just how effective workers’ compensation benefits are. Fortunately, workers’ compensation benefits generally apply to any kinds of injuries or illnesses caused in whole or in part by a job, even if a significant amount of time has passed.
There are many types of injuries or health effects that may be caused by repeated stress or exposure over many years. Many of these circumstances would be harmless for almost everybody to be exposed to, but for those who work around such conditions nearly all day, every day, the overexposure can become a problem. Working near an extremely loud noise, for instance, may not seem like a problem at first. However, after 20 years, you may notice a loss of hearing.
Other types of injuries include repetitive stress injuries from performing the same motions over and over, lung damage from inhaling toxic substances and even heart attacks depending on the nature of the work. No matter how much time has passed, if you believe that your injury was caused by your job, you should consider contacting your employer and seeing if you qualify for workers’ compensation coverage.
Unfortunately, the more time has passed, the more difficult it may be to successfully prove that your job was the cause of the injury, so your claim may be denied. If you live in New York, and your workers’ compensation claim is denied, consider meeting with an attorney. Legal assistance could help you prove that your job caused your injury, allowing you to recover the compensation you deserve.
