Can I Pursue a Workers’ Compensation Claim if I Get Sick While on the Job?

Most people have heard of workers' compensation. All employers in the state of Illinois are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance that helps take care of employees if they are injured on the job. However, accidents are not the only way you can be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. In some circumstances, you can also file a claim under the Illinois Workers’ Occupational Diseases Act if you have contracted an illness or have become sick as a result of your work environment.

There are a variety of situations in which you may be eligible to claim compensation through the Illinois Workers’ Occupational Disease Act. However, there are no specific diseases or conditions listed that qualify. Rather, the Act states that any employee is eligible if they suffer disablement, impairment, disfigurement, or death and such injury is caused by a disease, “arising out of and in the course of his or her employment.” The Act also states that any pre-existing condition that is aggravated because of a person’s employment may also be covered. Common diseases and illnesses that may be covered under the Act can include:

• Asthma
• Hearing loss
• HIV
• Tuberculosis
• Reproductive disorders
• Dermatitis

If a person is suffering from an occupational disease, they must file their claim within a specific period of time in order for it to be valid. In most cases, a claim must be filed within two years from the last day that the employee was exposed to the condition that caused the illness. If the claim is found to be valid, the employee or his or her family members can claim benefits that may or may not include:

• Medical care
• Surgical benefits
• Hospital and rehabilitative care
• Financial compensation
• Burial costs

Some work environments can pose a serious risk to workers’ health. If you believe you have gotten sick or developed an illness because of your job, you should speak with a skilled Will County workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible. At the Law Office of John S. Fotopoulos, P.C., we know how debilitating an occupational disease can be. Our team can help you pursue a claim for many different types of diseases or injuries you may be suffering from. To schedule a free consultation, call our office today at 708-942-8400.

Source:

Illinois Compiled Statutes