Injuries that Qualify for a Work Compensation Claim

It does not matter where you work; chances are that you have some exposure to situations that may cause you injury. While most injuries are small, many are big, causing pain, loss of income, and high medical bills. If you have been injured at work it is possible that you are entitled to file a Work Compensation Claim. You may also qualify for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefits if you have missed over two months of work or have one of the diseases recognized by the government as being job related. Workers exposed to asbestos may have one or several of the diseases which qualify for a Work Compensation Claim. Asbestos is a building material which was used up until the mid 1970's. Those at risk are construction workers or people working in buildings containing asbestos such as hospitals and schools. It may take up to 40 years for the disease to show up. Diseases include scarring of the lungs, lung cancer, cancer in the chest, calcification of the lungs and fluid on the lungs. Pneumoconiosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling silica and asbestos. Workers exposed to these chemicals include construction workers, coal miners, quarry workers and pottery workers. It takes ten years for pneumoconiosis to show up. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lungs and lower digestive track. Having Mesothelioma qualifies you to make a Work Compensation Claim. Workers at risk of this disease include construction workers and coal miners. Those who can prove they have worked related asthma can file a Work Compensation Claim. Work Related Asthma is also known as Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome (RADS). It is caused by exposure to chemicals that damage the lungs and is different from an asthma caused by an allergic reaction. A good way to know if your asthma is work related is by noticing if your symptoms improve during weekends and holidays. Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) are injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. The symptoms are numbness, tingling and pain in the wrist and arm. Bad cases can cause back pain. Those at risk include factory workers and office workers. It is harder to prove work related RSI because of the popularity of home computers. To prove work related RSI you will need to have evidence that your employer is not providing you with breaks and ergonomic equipment. Blindness, Deafness or Loss of Limb is a risk to factory worker, industrial workers and workers exposed to chemicals. Blindness can be caused by chemicals getting into the eyes. Deafness caused by constant exposure to loud noise, and loss of limb resulting from getting caught in a factory machine. To win a Work Compensation Claim you must have evidence that your employer did not supply you with safety equipment such as goggles and ear plugs. In the case of loss of limb you need to prove that your employer did not properly train you.