For a disease to be recognized as an occupational disease under the
Illinois Occupational Disease Act, the connection of the disease to the workplace is proved by establishing a link between the exposure to the alleged disease causing substance and the work activities of the contracted worker. The best Illinois workers compensation and occupational disease lawyers will know that there is a higher incidence or frequency of disease contraction and disorders in certain occupations. The disease or illness, in higher incident type employments are considered “germane” to certain types of workers in this occupations.
What follows is a list of some occupational diseases;Coal workers pneumoconiosis. This obstructive lung disease is coming among underground coal miners who are exposed to dusty conditions in the coal mines.
Meat cutters tendon disorders. These are common upon meat cutters who must us various joint postures in cutting meat.
Electricians tendon disorders, nerve entrapments, trigger fingers, joint dysfunction, and asbestos exposures.
Pipe fitters and industrial plumbers, tendon disorders, asbestos exposures, and chemical exposures to compounds and glue substances.
Firefighters, EMT, and first responders: post traumatic stress disorders, infectious disease exposures from emergency treatment.
Hearing loss and tinnitus is common among factory workers and among workers who are exposed at work to loud noise of sufficient level and duration.
In 2010, a new rare disease of bronchialitis obliterates (cement lung) was recognized as an occupation disease among workers who inhaled fumes of popcorn butter flavoring.
Asbestos exposure is a known cause of lung diseases.
Chemical exposures are a known cause of asthma and lung diseases and skin diseases such as dermatitis.
Cancer and other lung diseases are common in workers exposed to asbestos.
There is no specific limitation on what diagnosed disease constitutes an occupational disease under Illinois law.
If you have contracted a disease and suspect it may have been caused by exposures at work, then follow the steps in our section “What to do if you contract an occupational disease.”
Ron D Coffel
is a peer reviewed workers compensation lawyer that has been awarded the distinction of leading lawyer that regularly handles Illinois workers compensation and occupational disease claims in Illinois.
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