Decatur Occupational Disease Attorney

Workers' Compensation Lawyers for Employment-Related Health Conditions in Macon County, Sangamon County, and McLean County

There are a wide variety of different ways that people can suffer harm while at work. In addition to being injured in workplace accidents or while performing work-related tasks, employees may contract diseases that have a serious impact on their long-term health and well-being. Fortunately, workers' compensation provides benefits to victims of occupational diseases, and employees can receive compensation that addresses their medical expenses and loss of income. When making a workers' comp claim, you can increase your chances of success by working with a skilled attorney.

At Kanoski Bresney, our lawyers have more than 40 years of experience representing clients in workers' compensation and personal injury cases, and we have helped injured workers receive a total of over $100 million in compensation. We can make sure you follow the correct steps when filing a claim related to an occupational disease or illness, and we will also help you identify other sources of compensation, including third-party claims against people or companies that acted negligently and caused harm to you and your family.

Types of Occupational Illnesses

Workers can be affected by a wide variety of diseases that occur due to conditions in the workplace or work-related activities. These include:

• Heart disease - People who work in stressful occupations, including those who work long hours or night shifts, are more likely to experience cardiovascular disease. Exposure to engine exhaust, welding fumes, arsenic, or lead can also lead to heart disease.
• Lung disease - Inhalation of particles in the air can cause irritation to the lungs, leading to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other disorders. Construction workers, farm workers, and people who work in factories or around fires are at risk for this type of disease. Inhalation of silica dust or mold can cause inflammation and scarring of the lungs, and exposure to chemicals used in artificial food flavoring has been found to cause bronchiolitis, or "popcorn lung." Workers may also experience an aggravation of pre-existing conditions such as asthma when breathing in dust or fumes in the workplace.
• Brain disease - Athletes or others who regularly experience physical impacts to the head or body may suffer from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. Brain disease can also be caused by exposure to lead, heavy metals, or other toxic chemicals in cleaning products, pesticides, air fresheners, and building materials.
• Cancer - Exposure to carcinogens in the workplace can lead to multiple different forms of cancer. Arsenic exposure may lead to skin, lung, liver, or bladder cancer. Ethylene oxide exposure can lead to leukemia or lymphoma. Exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma.
• Infectious diseases - Doctors, nurses, or emergency medical technicians may be infected with viruses or bacteria while treating patients. Some common diseases that may be passed to healthcare workers or other employees include hepatitis, tuberculosis, flu, and measles.
• Skin disorders - A person may experience dermatitis or rashes due to exposure to toxic chemicals, contact with fiberglass or other irritants, allergic reactions to plants such as poison oak or poison ivy, or damage to the skin by friction, pressure, or extreme heat or cold. Exposure to radiation can lead to skin cancer.
• Muscle and joint disorders - Workers may experience musculoskeletal disorders due to the work they perform. These may include carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic back pain, hernias, or arthritis.
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Work-related stress, viral infections, physical injuries, or other medical issues can cause a person to experience this disorder, which may involve extreme fatigue, difficulty concentrating on tasks, memory problems, dizziness, pain in the muscles and joints, and headaches.
• High blood pressure - People who work long hours or who are regularly exposed to extreme heat or cold may suffer from hypertension.

Contact a Sangamon County Work-Related Disease Lawyer

If you have contracted a disease while working, or if you are experiencing health conditions that are related to your job activities, you may eligible to receive workers' compensation. These benefits will cover the costs of your medical treatment, as well as income you have lost because of a disability. The attorneys of Kanoski Bresney can help you file a workers' comp claim, and we will work to ensure that you receive the benefits that will help you make a full recovery. Contact us today by calling 888-U-COUNT-2 or 888-826-8682 to arrange a complimentary consultation. We assist with work-related illnesses in Illinois, including Champaign, Bloomington, McDonough County, Adams County, Rushville, Macon County, Tazewell County, Quincy, Peoria, Springfield, Pekin, Macomb, Decatur, Champaign County, Schuyler County, McLean County, Peoria County, and Sangamon County.