Employees can suffer a wide range of injuries on the job. Sometimes, they can develop illnesses from their workplace conditions. They may develop infections because of their exposure to pathogens while working. Fortunately, workers’ compensation can assist those with job-related illnesses, as well as those with on-the-job injuries.
Illnesses caused by employment are common. Some workers may even develop deadly or life-altering illnesses. Workplace chemical exposure, for example, can cause cancer. People who have employment-related cancer may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
Workers may have to handle human carcinogens
Employees in a broad range of different professions can end up exposed to compounds that can cause cancer. These chemicals, known as carcinogens, can be dangerous even at low levels of exposure.
People who work in manufacturing settings, who repair maritime vessels or who remodel older homes might be at risk of developing mesothelioma or lung cancer due to their asbestos exposure. There are a host of other chemical compounds that can also potentially cause cancer.
If workers can show that their current or former employment directly exposed them to carcinogens, they may then be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. They may receive care benefits that pay for their treatment and even disability benefits if they must take a leave of absence to undergo chemotherapy or surgical procedures. There are also alternative programs in place for certain workers, including firefighters with specific forms of cancer.
Anyone dealing with a life-altering cancer diagnosis may want to explore different options for covering their losses and paying for their treatment. Filing a workers’ compensation claim can sometimes be an option for those diagnosed with cancers or other illnesses directly caused by their employment.