Workplace Illness Attorneys in Freehold NJ
Advocating for the Rights of Workers who get Sick on the Job in Ocean and Monmouth County,NJ
The risks associated with being on the job are as variable as the jobs that exist. While some professions have higher rates of workplace illnesses due to the nature of the profession, all jobs and sites carry some risk. Worker’s compensation insurance provides financial benefits or payments to employees who have been injured as a direct result of their job. Sometimes, job-related injury and illness come suddenly, and sometimes, it is compounded over time.
If you have been become ill because of your work environment in Freehold, Belmar, Colts Neck, Jackson, Point Pleasant, Howell, or another community in and around Ocean and Monmouth County, New Jersey, contact an experienced member of our team at Chamlin, Uliano & Walsh by calling (732) 440-3950 to discuss your case. If you are eligible for compensation, our attorneys are prepared to help swiftly move you into the process of receiving financial support for your work-related illness. Please continue reading to learn more about the specifics of work-related illnesses, how they can be avoided, and how you can file a workers’ compensation claim with assistance from our accomplished law firm.
Framing Work-Related Illness in New Jersey
A work-related illness is any sickness that was either directly caused or aggravated by your work environment or circumstances. Work-related illness is highly common due to a wide range of hazards. In 2021, private employers reported 2.6 million nonfatal workplace illnesses or injuries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2021 saw a decline in work-related illnesses because of the decline of the Covid-19 pandemic, which had caused a number of respiratory workplace-related illnesses. According to the Bureau, the manufacturing, retail, and healthcare sectors face the highest number of work-related illnesses in the United States.
Work Activities with a Higher Rate of Worker-Related Illnesses
While specific illnesses can vary, certain professions often see recurring workplace-related illnesses among their employees. For example, workers in office settings are subject to heightened cases of musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome due to repetitive motion of the hands and wrists, for example, over keyboards. Surgeons, dentists, and dental assistants face a higher risk of such musculoskeletal disorders as well.
Those who work in healthcare industries are much more likely to contract work-related illnesses due to their sustained proximity to airborne and blood-borne pathogens. Healthcare workers are at heightened risk for contracting airborne and blood-borne diseases, as are social services workers. Social workers are at a higher risk of contracting such illnesses as well as a result of their work with high-risk populations. These include hepatitis B and C and tuberculosis, as well as others. Transportation workers who are in enclosed spaces with potentially sick individuals for the entirety of their shift also face a heightened risk of contracting airborne illnesses.
Additionally, construction and remodeling employees are subject to harsh airborne chemicals such as asbestos, which can, as a carcinogen, cause mesothelioma, and serious cancer. Contractors and construction workers face hearing loss in many conditions and pneumonia in certain weather conditions. Some common injuries that result from work-related illness are chronic respiratory issues such as asthma, chemical poisoning affecting various systems of the body, and certain types of cancer.
Protective Equipment for Work-Related Illnesses
The primary means for preventing airborne and blood-borne pathogens for which some professions are disproportionately at risk is to always wear protective facial covering and protective gloves when engaging in any interaction. Additionally, construction workers who may face chemicals in older building materials must wear protective eye, nose, and mouth gear.
Contact Our Work Illnesses Lawyers in West Long Branch NJ
Employees who are injured on the job or develop an illness directly related to their profession are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits from their employer. In New Jersey, employees can receive compensation for medical expenses incurred, lost wages, and even permanent disability benefits.
When it comes to workers’ compensation claims, it is essential to have the professional support of a workers’ compensation attorney to help you navigate the claims process. There are specific aspects of your claim that must prove your illness was the direct result of your professional service, and an employer’s insurance company will often attempt to deny workers’ comp benefits due to denial of liability.
The experienced lawyers at Chamlin, Uliano & Walsh have skillfully guided claimants with job-related illnesses in Red Bank, Wall, Hazlet, Eatontown, Brick, and Asbury Park. We have the commitment and professional background to ensure you are being fairly and fully compensated for your workplace illness, regardless of the barriers that employer’s representatives may attempt to erect in your way. Contact us today at (732) 440-3950, and speak to an attorney about getting back on the road to physical and financial recovery.