Employment Law Information

There are many occupations that have specific illnesses associated with them. Very often these are the result of some environmental factor in the workplace, or a result of the work itself. You may have heard of coal miners suffering from “black lung,” a disease caused by inhalation of coal dust. People whose jobs involve heavy repetition of certain actions can lead to repetitive strain injuries. In addition, although increasingly rare, some workers are still exposed to highly toxic chemicals like lead.

The lungs are one of the parts of the body most commonly affected by the workplace. People who work in industries where there is a lot of ambient dust are susceptible to diseases from dust inhalation. Although our lungs are capable of clearing out much of the particulate matter (dust) we inhale, some substances persist. Silica, the most common mineral on earth, is not toxic. But very fine silica particles can become permanently stuck in lung tissue and reduce the lung’s capacity.

Repetitive strain injuries, sometimes abbreviated RSIs, are the result of prolonged specific stresses on the body. Carpal tunnel syndrome is one example of an RSI, but there are many others. Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve, which connects the hands to the spine, as it passes through the wrist. Other RSIs involve similar prolonged strain on nerves and tendons, and can affect thumbs, elbows, and the nerves connecting the neck to the arms.

Although there are extensive workplace safety regulations in place, some jobs do involve risk of exposure to toxic substances. In many cases this is by necessity: jobs that “someone has to do.” Thankfully, modern safety equipment drastically reduces the effects of such work environments. If the equipment becomes damaged, however, workers can be exposed to toxic substances. People who clean radioactive waste, for example, could be exposed to cancer-causing radiation if precautions are not followed exactly.

If you have fallen ill as a result of workplace conditions, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation insurance. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you get the full assistance you need. However, if you think someone might be liable for putting employees at risk, pursuing legal action might be preferable. In either case, the Pennsylvania workers compensation and personal injury attorneys of Lowenthal & Abrams can help you. Contact them today to learn more.

Joseph Devine

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