In the state of Texas, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation if you are diagnosed with an illness related to an occupation you held or still hold. One of the things that our attorneys at The Law Offices of Miller & Bicklein, P.C., explain to people is what qualifies as a work-related illness.
Generally, you must show that that there is a clear connection to your condition and your job. For example, perhaps you worked in construction for a time, and you were exposed to materials that contained asbestos. Now you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Since asbestos was a common substance used in early 20th century building supplies, you may have a very strong case for benefits against your employer as well as the company who produced the building material.
There are a number of illnesses that have a connection to occupational duties and these include the following:
- Certain types of cancer
- Occupational asthma
- Hearing loss from exposure to excessively loud noise
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Lung diseases
In addition to these, mental health issues such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety may be considered job-related. If you worked in a profession that had a high injury risk, such as a health care professional, factory worker, construction worker or that required you to work in extreme environments, then you may be able to claim that your illness is a result of that experience. You will need to provide proof that you worked in such a field and the time-period. For more information on occupational diseases and other injuries, please visit our web page.