One of your greatest fears on the job in any New York workplace may be developing a chronic illness due to exposure to substances in your environment. You worry that every cough, tickle in the back of your throat or shortness of breath may be occupational asthma. Occupational asthma can arise from a number of circumstances, and we at Angiuli & Gentile, LLP understand the concerns you face when potentially dealing with occupational asthma or another occupational disease.
The New York Workers’ Compensation Center describes occupational diseases that occur over time, usually as result of repeated or aggravated exposure to the conditions causing the illness. One example can include workers in fiberglass manufacturing. Without proper personal protective equipment, workers may find themselves exposed to inhalation of fibers and particles that cause lung damage and lead to asthma.
Occupational asthma differs from typical asthma because occupational asthma is directly caused by artificial means and is acquired later in life in the workplace, as opposed to traditional asthma – which is either a congenital condition inherited at birth, or a condition acquired through some other form of disease or illness. In order to be classified as occupational asthma as a disease eligible for workers’ compensation, you must be able to prove that the condition did not previously exist and is a direct result of your workplace conditions.
Developing a chronic illness as a result of your job can be an upsetting experience, but you have the right to educate yourself about both your disease and workers’ compensation law. For more information on laws relating to occupational disease, please refer to our blog and website.