Thanks to federal and state legislation that governs employees’ rights in the event of injury and illness caused in the workplace, you can usually expect to be fairly compensated for your medical expenses, economic loss, and, if you are the survivor of someone killed in a workplace accident, death benefits as well.

Workers comp actually protects employers, too. Although you are compensated for lost wages during your convalescence and reimbursed for medical expenses, you lose the right to file suit against the employer for punitive damages.

Immediately upon reporting an accident, you should be assured that your employer has initiated the paperwork required to start your workers comp benefits. Workers comp will cover your medical bills and will provide you with a percentage of your salary on a tax-free basis during your convalescence.

If it is determined that your injury or illness resulted in permanent disability, workers comp provides for permanent disability payments and continued reimbursement of your medical expenses. Alternatively, in some states, disabled workers may be entitled to a lump sum payment.

If you were off the job at the time of the accident but performing tasks related to your job, you may still qualify for workers comp coverage. This might include incidents occurring while you are traveling for work, running job-related errands, or attending an after-hours company function.

Some injuries aren’t covered by workers comp, even if they happened on the job. If the accident occurred due to your own negligence, for example, or if you own a business or are self-employed, work on a farm, or perform domestic labor in someone else’s home, workers comp does not apply.

You cannot bring suit against your employer if you are receiving workers comp benefits, but some situations allow you to bypass workers comp and sue for damages. If the employer’s negligence was responsible for conditions leading up to the accident or if the company failed to carry workers comp insurance, you may have grounds to sue.

Since each state establishes and implements its own legislation governing workers comp, be sure to contact your state workers comp board for more information. If you think your employer has violated your rights or was culpable in the accident that caused your injury, you may want to discuss the circumstances with a qualified workers comp attorney who can evaluate your case and recommend options. Many attorneys offer this initial meeting at no cost and will not charge a fee unless a settlement is awarded to you.

At the Nahon Firm, PLC, we will fight to help you win. Our Nashville work injury attorneys will treat you with the utmost compassion and respect.  You can count on compassion, dedication, and determination towards your case.  Call us today and speak with a Nashville accident lawyer to discuss the details of your case. Call (615) 324-2000.

Many people currently suffer from a lung disease which was caused by a hazardous substance. Such lung diseases can affect the breathing mechanisms causing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chronic cough, chest pain and difficulty breathing. When a person is afflicted with this type of disease in their lungs, they may become incapable of enjoying the activities they once did, or working in the same career field. Occupational lung diseases are brought on by workplace exposure.

In some instances the place you work can contain any number of harmful substances such as coal or asbestos, leading to serious diseases such as Mesothelioma, black lung, asbestosis or silicosis. People who have spent their lives working in the mining industry or other high-risk occupations may have been exposed to hazardous workplace substances such as asbestos or radon gas. Such long-term exposure is a major cause of lung diseases which can be life-altering.

What You May Have Been Exposed To at Work

If you work in any type of employment sector in which asbestos is present, your employer should ensure sure you are fully protected through the use of a facial mask or other protective gear. Many people are exposed constantly to dust particles and damaging chemical fumes in the workplace and must take advantage of such protective safety gear. There are many hazardous substances workers may encounter such as diesel fumes, asbestos, wood dust, silica, heavy metals, radon, solvents, ether, mustard gas and even second-hand smoke which can severely damage the lungs.  Those who are employed in such industries as textile factories, car garages, uranium mines, iron or steel foundries, painting companies, printing companies, glass manufacturing companies or nail salons—just to name a few—are likely exposed to certain levels of harmful chemicals.

Indications of Lung Disease

Those who have been repeatedly exposed to hazardous workplace substances can begin having shortness of breath, with symptoms which steadily escalate such as abnormal breathing patterns, chest pain and coughing. If you suspect you have been exposed to hazardous chemicals in your workplace you should immediately consult a medical professional who will likely send you for chest x-rays and other tests such as a test to determine pulmonary functions, tissue and lung fluid testing and cellular and bio-chemical studies of chest fluids.  Doctors determine the course of treatment depending on your current age, previous medical history and overall state of health as well as the specific type of lung disease you have and how far the disease has progressed.

Claim for COPD

Your doctor may diagnose you with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease if your job has exposed you to hazardous working conditions which include gases, chemicals or dust. This is a serious lung condition in which the lungs become irritated and inflamed, causing serious difficulties in breathing. COPD in turn can lead to asthma, emphysema, silicosis, bronchitis, and other potentially life-threatening diseases. If you are suffering from work-related COPD, you are eligible for a compensation claim under the industrial injuries and illness provision.

Get Help from an Experienced Attorney

If you have suffered lung exposure from hazardous substances in your work environment, you need help in filing a claim, and you need an aggressive advocate in your corner to handle the legal issues while you concentrate on your medical care and your future. You must have knowledgeable legal advice in order to get the compensation you are due from hazardous substance exposure. You may have huge amounts of medical bills which continue to pile up, and are facing future medical bills for a long period of time. You may be unable to work because of your lung conditions, and are facing a very uncertain future. Don’t wait to contact a lawyer in your area who has extensive experience in lung diseases caused by workplace hazards.

At the Nahon Firm, PLC, we will fight to help you win. Our Nashville personal injury attorneys will treat you with the utmost compassion and respect.  You can count on compassion, dedication, and determination towards your case.  Call us today and speak with a Nashville accident lawyer to discuss the details of your case. Call (615) 324-2000.