Occupational Diseases
If you suffer from an occupational disease, you may be entitled to compensation under the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act. An occupational disease is a disease shown to be caused by conditions characteristic of your particular job. It does not include ordinary diseases to which the general public is equally exposed. Occupational diseases recognized in North Carolina include the following:
Asbestosis
Long-term exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to an accumulation of these fibers in your lungs. This build-up can scar the lung tissue, causing a condition called asbestosis. As the scarring worsens, the lung tissue becomes stiff, unable to expand and contract normally. This makes breathing difficult and inefficient. It often takes 15-30 years after exposure to asbestos for the symptoms of asbestosis to develop. These symptoms, similar to those of other respiratory diseases, may include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Persistent cough
- Fatigue upon physical activity
- Shortness of Breath
You face a higher risk of acquiring asbestosis if you have worked in the following industries:
- Power Plants
- Steel and Metal Industry
- Shipbuilding / Shipyards
- Mining
- Construction / Demolition
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare, devastating cancer affecting the protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Mesothelioma most commonly develops in the outer lining of the lungs or internal chest wall, but it also develops in the lining of the abdominal cavity and the lining of the pericardium, the sac that contains the heart and the roots of the great vessels. The only established cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Some people can be exposed to asbestos for years and never develop mesothelioma. Others can acquire the disease after brief exposure. It can sometimes take up to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop.
The initial symptoms of mesothelioma resemble those of other lung diseases and illnesses. Because the disease is rare, it is more likely that a person exhibiting similar symptoms has a different illness. If you have had asbestos exposure, however, it is imperative that you let your doctor know. Mesothelioma symptoms often include the following:
- Pain when breathing or coughing
- Persistent, dry cough
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty swallowing
- Chest pain
- Palpable lumps under the skin of the chest
- Unintentional weight loss
As mesothelioma spreads, its symptoms worsen, often leading to death from heart failure, lung failure, or stroke.
Byssinosis
Byssinosis is a lung disease primarily caused by breathing in raw cotton fibers, but it can also be caused by breathing in dust from other vegetable fibers such as flax, hemp, or sisal while at work. Byssinosis is commonly referred to as “brown lung” disease. Workers in the textile industry who work with raw cotton fibers are at an increased risk of developing byssinosis. Byssinosis is a reactive airway disease characterized by bronchorestriction. Symptoms include chest tightness and difficulty breathing.
Silicosis
Silica is a naturally occurring crystal found in rock beds. Fine silica dust is created during mining, quarrying, and tunneling projects. Sand contains large amounts of silica dust. If you have been exposed to silica at your job, you are at risk for acquiring silicosis, a lung disease resulting in fibrous scarring of the lungs.
Silica exposure can cause silicosis within a year, but symptoms do not usually occur until you have had at least 10-15 years of exposure. Silicosis can cause shortness of breath, weight loss, and an increased risk for tuberculosis. Occupations placing you at risk for silicosis include:
- Mining
- Stone cutting
- Quarrying
- Glass making
- Road and building construction
- Abrasives manufacturing
- Sand blasting
Hearing Loss
On-the-job noise exposure is a leading cause of hearing loss. The North Carolina workers’ compensation system recognizes hearing loss as an occupational disease. You can qualify for workers’ compensation benefits for hearing loss if you can establish that you have hearing loss in both ears consistent with noise-related hearing loss and that you were regularly exposed to loud noises at work for 90 days or more .
Your compensation for hearing loss is based upon the percentage of loss that you suffer. You are not entitled to compensation for hearing loss if it could have been prevented by employer-provided protection devices that you refused to regularly use.
You have a voice.
If you have suffered from a work-related injury or illness or you have lost a family member because of either one, you have a place to turn. At Ward Black Law, we work hard to get our clients the compensation they need to meet their medical needs and provide for their families. We exist to give a voice to ordinary people facing extraordinary struggles. Contact us today for a free consultation.
