Workers Compensation For Work Related Illness

Full Video Transcript

If you get sick because of your working conditions, then you might be entitled to workers’ compensation. You should be prepared to prove that your illness was the result of your working conditions and would not have occurred if you had worked another job. For example, if you suffer mesothelioma after working with asbestos materials then you likely contracted the illness in the course of your employment. Since occupational illnesses often take some time to present symptoms, unlike occupational injuries which are often readily apparent, most states allow you to file your worker’s comp claim within a certain amount of time from when you knew, or should have known based on your symptoms, of your diagnosis. Remember, if you accept workers’ compensation for your work-related illness then you will not be able to file a lawsuit against your employer later. So it is important to carefully consider whether the workers’ comp money is enough to cover all of your damages.