Atlanta Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
The Law Offices of Nathaniel F. Hansford, LLC represents clients injured on the job. With more than 45+ years of combined experience, we can provide knowledgeable legal services for your case. Our firm has helped hundreds of clients obtain successful results, and we are dedicated to finding effective solutions for each case. If you have suffered from an occupational disease, contact our Atlanta workers’ compensation attorneys today for a free consultation.
Seek Compensation for a Variety of Occupational Diseases
Occupational diseases involve a variety of illnesses and medical conditions caused by workplace hazards. Whether you require short or long-term medical treatment, it is important to seek compensation. Our lawyers can investigate your incident and discuss your options to determine a course of action.
Occupational diseases are caused by:
- Physical agents
- Chemical agents
- Biological agents
- Cancer-causing agents
Physical agents include extreme temperatures, loud noises, compressed air, lasers or optical radiation, explosives, strong vibrations, and flammable liquids or solids. If prolonged exposure to these agents caused your medical condition, you can pursue compensation. In addition, chemical agents include ammonia, pesticides, arsenic, mercury, hexane, lead, chlorine, and latex. If your job required you to be in contact with these and other chemical substances, and you sustained an illness, you can file for workers’ compensation.
Biological agents include infectious and parasitic diseases, anthrax, hepatitis viruses, tetanus, and tuberculosis. Cancer-causing agents involve asbestos, nickel compounds, coal tars, soot, wood dust, and ionizing radiation. Because treatments for illnesses caused by working conditions are expensive, it is important to file a claim right away.
What are Examples of Occupational Diseases?
Occupational diseases come in many forms. Are there any that you should be more worried about in your workplace than others?
Common occupational diseases that could be affecting you include:
- Asthma caused by exposure to dangerous gases, fumes, and vapors
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
The most common type of occupational disease is not technically a disease caused by exposure to hazardous substances or materials but is classified as one by workers’ compensation programs: hearing loss. Many people work in loud environments but are not provided adequate hearing protection, ultimately harming the worker’s hearing to a noticeable degree and possibly permanently. For example, many fast-food kitchens are noisy with clanging pots and pans, cooking alarms and timers, and shouts from employees who need to communicate back and forth. All of these noises can be harmful to hearing.
How Do You Prove Occupational Disease?
You might be certain that your health condition was caused by your work, but your employer and their insurance provider are bound to disagree. Proving an occupational disease requires convincing evidence that shows a link between your illness and your typical work environment or duties. If you could have likely contracted the disease elsewhere, then the necessary link has probably not been established concretely enough to endure scrutiny from the insurance company.
To prove a link between your job and your occupational disease, you can rely on a well of various resources. Notes from your medical provider can be invaluable to show not only your symptoms but also what your doctor thinks is the most likely cause. Testimonies from coworkers can also create a clear scenario in which the likelihood of contracting your disease while working is high. You might even be able to use your employer’s safety records to your advantage. We highly recommend connecting with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney like ours, though, if you want to make the most out of the available evidence without putting too much stress on your shoulders.
What You Need to Know About Workers’ Comp Laws in Georgia
In Georgia, the statute of limitations for filing a workers’ comp claim is 1 year from the date of your injury or illness. If you are receiving medical treatment, you have 1 year to file a claim from the date of your last treatment. However, you only have 30 days to report the illness to your employer, so it is important to act fast. With the help of our experienced Atlanta workers’ compensation attorneys, you can file a claim and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and permanent or partial disability.
Passionate Representation for Workers’ Compensation
At The Law Offices of Nathaniel F. Hansford, LLC, we are dedicated to providing efficient, personal services. Whatever your situation, our team can answer your questions and help you make informed decisions regarding your case. We have helped numerous clients achieve compensation awards for occupational illnesses, and our lawyers can walk you through the process.
Call our firm today at (770) 741-2825 for passionate legal service in Georgia.
