According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and data taken from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, occupational lung disease is the number one work-related illness in the United States. In terms of frequency, severity, and preventability, it has become an extremely alarming and dangerous consequence of many common jobs.
Respiratory Complications of Work Accidents
In the United States alone, nearly 500 million people suffer from occupational respiratory illnesses as a result of workplace accidents, exposures, and hazards. The CDC estimates that nearly five million victims needlessly succumb to these illnesses every year, even though employers can easily prevent the exposures and illnesses from occurring in the first place.
Certain occupations are associated with an increased risk of developing occupational lung diseases. These occupations include construction and industry workers, firefighters, farmers, miners, and chemical and aromatic developers. However, any type of work exposure to chemicals, mold spores, and unclean air can lead to:
- Occupational and adult onset asthma. Periodic inflammation of the lungs and airways.
- Silicosis. This is caused by swelling in the lungs, either gradually over many years or in a very short amount of time, due to silica dust. Severe forms of the disease include fluid buildup in the lungs and sometimes lung tissue scarring.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This is caused by the narrowing of the small airways and breakdown of lung tissue known as emphysema. An estimated 14 percent of COPD cases are due to occupational exposure.
- Lung cancer. Occupational exposures account for about 10.3 percent of lung cancer cases worldwide.
- Allergic conditions. Inflammation, irritation, or swelling of the lungs and throat.
- Asbestosis. This is caused by the scarring of lung tissue as a result of exposure to asbestos.
- Pulmonary disease. The breakdown of lung tissue causing excess fluid to fill the lung sacs is known as pulmonary disease.
Breathing Easy With the Help of an Experienced Friend
Don’t allow your employer or his insurance company deny your rightful benefits. Fight back by contacting an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer. We are here to help ease your burden and help you get the edge you need to get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation and see how we can help you breathe easier when it comes to your workers’ compensation claim.
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