Occupational Disease Claim
Experienced Occupational Disease Attorney in Washington State Represents Workers Battling Illnesses Caused by Their Jobs in King County, Lewis County, Pierce County, Thurston County, and Throughout WA
Have you been diagnosed with a disease or other health conditions that your doctor has identified as having been caused by your job? If you are suffering from an occupational disease, you may be entitled to claim financial benefits through Washington state’s workers’ compensation system, in addition to pursuing additional compensation if third parties bear fault for causing your disease. Unfortunately, getting the compensation and benefits you deserve for an occupational disease claim is not always easy. If you are unsure of where to begin or if your claims for compensation are being denied, an occupational disease attorney in Washington state from Smith Duran Law may be able to help.
For years, the attorneys of Smith Duran Law have advocated on behalf of workers who have suffered illnesses and diseases that arose in the course and scope of their employment. Our attorneys have personal experience trying to navigate the process of dealing with insurers and getting specialist medical care. As a result, we strive to provide understanding, compassionate legal service to everyone who walks through our doors. We also fight to ensure that our clients’ harm and losses are not minimized and that their benefits are not prematurely cut off. Our attorneys also look to give back, providing pro bono legal services to the more vulnerable members of our community. When you choose our firm to help you with your occupational disease claim, you can rest assured that we will do whatever it takes to secure justice on your behalf.
If you have developed an occupational disease due to your job or after being exposed to something at work, reach out to an occupational disease attorney in Washington state from Smith Duran Law for a free initial case evaluation. We can help you to learn more about your legal options for getting the financial resources you need as you recover from an occupational disease.
Common Occupational Diseases Suffered by Workers in Washington State
Examples of occupational diseases that the attorneys of Smith Duran Law can help you pursue financial compensation and benefits for include:
- Skin diseases such as contact dermatitis, eczema, infections, or skin cancer
- Respiratory/pulmonary diseases, including mesothelioma, tuberculosis, asthma, silicosis, pneumonitis, pharyngitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Hearing or vision loss
- Cancer, especially lung cancer, kidney cancer, or liver cancer
- Degenerative musculoskeletal conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, arthritis, and degenerative disc disease
- Infectious diseases, including bloodborne diseases such as hepatitis B/C or HIV, or airborne infections like Legionnaire’s disease or COVID-19
- Mental health illnesses, especially post-traumatic stress disorder
What Benefits Can You Receive for an Occupational Disease Claim?
If you can show that your illness or disease was caused due to exposure at work, you may be entitled to receive financial benefits through the workers’ compensation system. Benefits for an occupational disease claim can include:
- Medical benefits that cover all treatment and rehabilitation for an occupational disease
- Reimbursement for certain travel costs incurred going to and from appointments or procedures
- Partial wage replacement if you suffer a loss in income due to missing time from work because of an occupational disease
- Disability benefits if a body part or bodily function suffers permanent impairment
- Pension benefits if you are permanently, totally disabled from being able to work
If third parties bear liability for causing your occupational disease (such as if your disease was caused by dangerous or unsafe products you used at work), you may be entitled to pursue a third party claim that can allow you to recover compensation for other losses you have incurred.
How an Occupational Disease Attorney in Washington State from Smith Duran Law Can Help You in a Workers’ Comp Claim?
When you have a claim for benefits for an occupational disease, let an occupational disease attorney in Washington state from Smith Duran Law go to work to ensure you receive full financial recovery by:
- Building an effective case, including collecting the medical evidence to show that your occupational disease is work-related and entitles you to workers’ comp benefits
- Evaluating your legal options, including your rights to file for workers’ comp as well as to pursue a third-party injury claim
- Filing your workers’ comp claim on your behalf and ensuring that you timely receive benefits
- Fighting for your rights if your claim is initially denied by filing a protest or a direct appeal of your claim
Contact Us for a Free Case Review to Discuss Your Rights with an Attorney in Washington State
When you are recovering from an occupational disease that may be work-related, you deserve to pursue benefits available from the workers’ compensation system. Contact Smith Duran Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss how an occupational disease attorney in Washington state can assist you with recovering the workers’ comp benefits you may be entitled to after harmful exposure to a dangerous substance or other workplace injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions about Occupational Disease Claims in Washington State
Under Washington state’s workers’ compensation law, a pre-existing condition does not automatically disqualify a worker who is suffering from an occupational disease from workers’ comp benefits. Instead, benefits may be available if a worker’s pre-existing condition was previously asymptomatic or non-disabling and the work “activated” the condition to cause an occupational disease, or if the course of a progressive pre-existing condition was accelerated by work. Benefits may also be available if a symptomatic pre-existing condition was “aggravated” into an occupational disease by a worker’s employment.
Normally, you have two years from the date that your occupational disease is diagnosed by a doctor and identified as work-related to file a claim with your employer (if it is self-insured for workers’ compensation) or with the Washington Department of Labor & Industries.
If you’ve been injured by a defective product on the job, you may be entitled to recover additional compensation through a third-party claim. A third-party claim is a type of personal injury lawsuit that seeks a monetary award for damages suffered after an accident from a person or business outside of your employer. You can file a lawsuit against a business entity or manufacturer of a substance that causes you to become ill at work such as lead-based paint, asbestos, mercury, or any other substance that causes harm.
Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
The Department of Labor and Industries manages claims for injuries at work. You are entitled to money for lost wages, medical treatment, vocational retraining, loss of body function, and in some cases a pension.
LEARN MOREPersonal Injury Attorney
If your injury was caused by someone other than a co‑worker, an auto accident, or defective equipment, you may be entitled to additional compensation. Our personal injury attorney in Tacoma will evaluate your case.
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