Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Work-Related Illnesses

By Pyle Law, April 24 2020 11:43 am
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Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Work-Related Illnesses

By Pyle Law, April 24 2020 11:43 am
Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Work-Related Illnesses

Many workers know that they may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if they injure themselves while they are on the job – as long as they are within the scope of their employment at the time. However, what many workers do not know is that they may also be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits in the event they suffer from an illness (or some other form of trauma) that is related to their work.

If you believe that you are suffering from a work-related disease or illness, you may be eligible to make a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. The Kansas workers’ compensation attorneys at Pyle Law can determine if you are eligible to make a benefits claim. If so, our legal team can pursue a claim on your behalf, with the end goal of obtaining the benefits you deserve. Please call us today to learn more about how we can pursue workers’ compensation benefits on your behalf. 

What are Occupational Diseases in Kansas?

In order for a particular illness or disease to qualify as an occupational disease in Kansas, certain criteria must be established. Those criteria include both of the following:

  • That the disease comes about in the course of a particular employee’s normal work duties
  • That the disease occurs as a direct result of the employee performing these regular work duties

In most cases, employees are only eligible for workers’ compensation benefits arising out of an occupational disease if the particular occupation creates some kind of unique risk. That risk must make the employee susceptible to the disease in question. A disease that the general public is exposed to does not ordinarily constitute an occupational disease within the scope of Minnesota workers’ compensation law. 

Moreover, in order for a particular disease to be compensable for workers’ compensation purposes, it must ordinarily present some type of serious or permanent effect. 

Exacerbation of a Preexisting Medical Condition 

A worker may also be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits in the event he or she suffers from a preexisting medical condition that is exacerbated by working at a job and/or performing certain job duties. One of the most common examples of a job making a pre-existing medical condition worse occurs in the case of carpal tunnel syndrome. If a worker suffers from carpal tunnel syndrome before starting a particular job, but the condition becomes worse as the job progresses, then the worker may be able to file a claim for benefits. However, the employee’s benefits will likely be lower than those of an employee who actually developed carpal tunnel syndrome at his or her current job. 

Call a Kansas Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today 

The legal team at Pyle Law is ready to help you pursue workers’ compensation benefits for an occupational illness or disease arising from your employment. To schedule a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a knowledgeable Kansas workers’ compensation lawyer, please call us at (888) 381-1155 or contact us online to learn more about how we can assist you with your workers’ compensation case. 

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