Workers Compensation for Industrial Diseases – Kansas City Attorney

Industrial diseases refer to terminal illnesses or chronic injuries caused by long term exposure to toxins in the workplace.

kansas city industrial workers

Industrial workers are exposed to a variety of reactive agents, carcinogens and chemicals that are harmful to health. Workers can inhale, touch or ingest toxins overtime or in large quantities resulting in occupational illnesses. In this post, our Kansas City, MO work injury attorney will discuss some common industrial diseases.

Common industrial diseases

  • Asbestosis
  • Asthma
  • Bursitis
  • Carcinoma
  • Central nervous system toxicity
  • Chronic bronchitis
  • Coal miner’s lung
  • Deafness
  • Dermatitis
  • Emphysema
  • Farmer’s lung
  • Mesothelioma
  • Multiple system atrophy
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Pleural plaques or thickening
  • Polyneuropathy
  • Pneumonia
  • Tendonitis

Industrial disease can occur to workers in any industry that involves exposure to dust, vapors or fumes of naturally occurring substances. Many workers are exposed to manganese, benzene, lead and a variety of other toxins without being aware of it. Medical history reveals that the effect of nuclear waste and other pollutants can last multiple generations. Industrial compounds can cause a large number of serious illnesses ranging from minor allergies to serious genetic mutations that affect future generations as well.

Prevalence of industrial diseases

Of the 3 million industrial diseases that were reported in 2011, around 50 percent were serious in nature and require significant time off work. According to the  Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), industrial diseases reported in 2011 also involved duty restrictions and job transfers due to their serious nature. The highest incidence of industrial diseases occurring in both the public and private sectors was reported in the following sectors:

  • Construction, assembly
  • Manufacturing
  • Fishing, hunting
  • Mining and logging
  • Health care, retail
  • Agriculture, forestry
  • Food, hotel services
  • Fire, police protection
  • Animal, crop production

As many as 35% of all workplace illnesses reported in the same year were in the goods-producing industries. This means, the highest incidence of occupational diseases was in the manufacturing sector. The manufacturing and construction sector remain the most dangerous environments to work in.

Workers compensation for industrial diseases

If you have developed an industrial disease, because of exposure to harmful substances in the workplace, you may be entitled to receive workers compensation benefits. All injuries and illnesses that can be attributed to the work you do are generally covered by Missouri workers compensation benefits. You can receive temporary or permanent disability benefits depending on the nature of injury or illness.

If you return to work after recovering from an industrial disease, and the injury or illness recurs, you can typically claim workers compensation benefits again.

Kansas City, MO Workers Compensation Lawyers

If you have been injured on the job, it is in your best interest to speak with a workers compensation attorney. At the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann, our legal team has a strong history of helping injured Missouri workers get the medical attention and financial compensation that they need.

Please call us today at (816) 399-3706 or complete our Online Case Evaluation Form. All communications are returned promptly.

Updated: June 14, 2019

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