Occupational Respiratory Disease Lawyers in Asbury Park, NJ

Seeking Compensation for Workers Injured by Respiratory Diseases in Long Branch, Freehold, Tinton Falls, and Monmouth County, New Jersey

There are many diseases that can take root in the lungs, but when these diseases take root because of conditions in the workplace, they are known as occupational respiratory diseases, and employers can be held responsible. Particles of dust or mold, or soot can be inhaled in some workplaces; the smaller the particles, the more deeply they may be inhaled and therefore, do more damage to the lungs. People may come down with mild illnesses that can be treated, but the more severe cases may develop into cancer of the lung, or tuberculosis, or rheumatoid arthritis. Even a one-time exposure to a hazardous agent can cause occupational lung disease, though most cases are related to long-term exposure. If you smoke, the severity of job-related lung diseases increases a great deal. The workers at the highest risk of developing occupational respiratory diseases are agricultural workers, firefighters, coal miners, textile workers, and construction workers.

After suffering a respiratory injury or disease in a working environment, our experienced New Jersey workers’ compensation attorneys are prepared to help you obtain the compensation you need and deserve. At our law firm Chamlin, Uliano & Walsh, we are well aware of the impact these injuries may have on your everyday activities, work responsibilities, and financial situation. Our knowledgeable workers’ comp lawyers have successfully represented clients with occupational injuries and illnesses in Southern New Jersey towns and cities such as Neptune, Eatontown, Little Silver, Middletown, Holmdel, Red Bank, and many others.

Get in touch with us for an initial consultation and case evaluation. Call our occupational respiratory injury lawyers at (732) 440-3950 or fill out our online form.

What Are Possible Causes of Respiratory Diseases for Workers?

The air in a workplace may be infused with:

• Smoke, from burning things that contain vapors and gasses.
• Dust from cotton, fiberglass, wood chips, silica, asbestos, dirt, or coal.
• Tiny droplets from spray paint, cleaning products, or pesticides.
• Fumes generated while working with ceramics or doing other furnace work and from plastics, smelting, or welding.

Common Occupational Respiratory Diseases Developed in Workplaces

People in environments full of to toxic substances listed above can find they’ve been diagnosed with the following:

• Popcorn lung, or bronchiolitis: this has been known to develop in people who work in microwaveable popcorn plants and that handle flavorings in substances such as butter, margarine, frosting, and chips.
• Asbestosis: Construction workers working in old buildings that have asbestos in their insulation are in danger of developing this disease.
• Brown lung, or byssinosis: Textile workers in plants that process hemp, flax, and cotton have been known to develop this disease.
• Black lung, or coal worker’s pneumoconiosis: This is caused by regularly inhaling coal dust.
• COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: COPD is a killer in the U.S., the third highest cause of death. This category includes emphysema and bronchitis.
• Flock worker’s lung: flock is the bits of nylon fibers that are generated when cutting nylon to make upholstery, blankets, or carpets.
• Farmer’s lung: This is caused by an allergy to bacteria and mold found in soil and crops. It causes symptoms like those of asthma, but it can permanently damage lungs and even be fatal.
• Miner’s lung, or silicosis: People who work around the silica dust found in clay, glass, and stone are susceptible to this disease.

Identifying Respiratory Disease Symptoms

Symptoms of an occupational respiratory disease usually include chest tightness and pain, coughing, shortness of breath, a sore throat or a dry throat, runny nose, fever, or an irregular breathing pattern. People can also experience coughing up blood, extra sputum, and wheezing. If you suspect you may have a respiratory disease, ask your physician to examine you. They may investigate a possible diagnosis for an occupational respiratory disease by taking chest X-rays or doing a CAT scan. They’ll be looking for masses on the lung or fluid and inflammation. They may also have you undergo some other tests, namely, tests that calculate your lung function. They may order biopsies of tissue and fluid from the lung.

Key Information to Prevent Respiratory Diseases on the Job

Preventing lung disease caused by workplace irritants is vital because there is no cure for the occupational respiratory disease once you’ve been diagnosed. Employers have the burden of responsibility: the federal government has standards that employers must comply with to protect their workers. Employers must reduce dust and take constant air samples to measure the amount of airborne particulate matter in the environment. This must stay at an acceptable level. For projects where dust can’t be reduced, employers must provide respirators and good ventilation.

If your employer fails to reduce the particulate matter in the workplace and you develop a respiratory condition due to prolonged exposure the substances in the air, you should speak with a knowledgeable lawyer who can assess your specific situation and determine the potential legal avenues available to you to seek compensation.

Be Proactive in Keeping Track of Your Respiratory Condition

Keep a journal of your symptoms. Note down the day and time they occur and how long they last. Also, your doctor and your attorney may need to know what materials you’ve been breathing at work, including with previous employers. Your employer(s) by law must keep a record of the products utilized in the workplace. These records are known as material safety data sheets (MSDS). You need to ask for these records and also the employer’s list of precautions taken and safety measures implemented at your job. You may need the help of a lawyer to get your hands on these types of records.

Filing a Respiratory Disease Claim in New Jersey

By law, you need to file a workers’ compensation claim for a workplace injury or exposure-related illness as soon as you’ve been injured or diagnosed. Please note that the disability that you’ve suffered as a result of the disease had to have occurred within 300 weeks of the start of your employment. There’s a statute of limitations on this type of claim, as you must file within three years of the date of injury or diagnosis. When it comes to occupational respiratory disease, the time frame changes a little. You have to have worked in the occupation you claim caused the disease for a minimum of two years over a span of 10 years before you contract the disease. Again, it’s a good idea to document your symptoms, suspicions, and everything as it happens.

Ultimately, workers have rights and protections in New Jersey, so you may not be left to fend for yourself after developing a breathing or lung condition on the job. Workers’ compensation benefits and even disability payments may be possible for you. You need to consult an attorney experienced in handling these types of cases, as you are up against a ticking clock and a challenging system to navigate on your own. Chamlin, Uliano & Walsh can help strengthen your case, guide you through the legal process, and meticulously complete the necessary steps to obtain the best possible outcome for you.

Count on Our Wall Workers’ Compensation and Respiratory Disease Attorneys when You Need Assistance

Respiratory disease claims in New Jersey are complicated. You ought not to trust any lawyer with your claim but one with years of background and a track record of success assisting other individuals who have been injured, developed illnesses, or suffered from long-term physical and health conditions due to activities in the workplace. Don’t trust your employer’s insurer or someone unfamiliar with the system with your claim for compensation. You can rely on our workers’ compensation attorneys serving injured workers in Belmar, Manasquan, Colts Neck, Marlboro, Manalapan, Ocean Township and areas throughout Monmouth County and Southern New Jersey.

To determine next steps, trust the knowledge and skill of the New Jersey occupational respiratory disease lawyers at Chamlin, Uliano & Walsh. We’ll talk over the details with you, present you with your legal options, and explain how we can help you take proactive steps ahead. Call today at (732) 440-3950.