Asthma and Lung Conditions

Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Assisting Claimants in Wheaton and Schaumburg

If you have been diagnosed with asthma or a lung condition that you believe was caused or exacerbated by activities or conditions at your workplace, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Our Wheaton and Schaumburg workers’ compensation attorneys will provide you with the assistance that you need to maximize your chances of obtaining the benefits that you deserve to treat your illness. We understand how devastating a work-related asthma or lung condition can be, and we will advocate for you with the utmost compassion.

Asthma and Lung Conditions

Lung disease is any problem in the lungs that prevents the lungs from functioning properly. One of the most common types of lung diseases is asthma. Asthma is a chronic disease that makes your lungs very sensitive. When an individual has asthma, their airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, which can hinder breathing and can cause a person to cough or be winded. While for some people, asthma is a minor issue, it can be life-threatening for others. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that more than 25 million Americans have asthma. It affects 7.7 percent of adults and 8.4 percent of children in the U.S.

Workers’ Compensation for Employees with Asthma or Lung Conditions

Asthma and lung disease can result from an individual working with dangerous substances and chemicals at the workplace. For instance, asthma can be trigged or worsened by exposure to paint fumes, vapors, detergents, cleaners, mold, or cigarette smoke. According to the CDC, over 300 known or suspected substances in the workplace can cause or worsen asthma. While many different types of jobs can lead to asthma developing or getting worse, some places, industries, and occupations create a greater likelihood of asthma, including:

• Chemical plants;
• Paper mills;
• Construction;
• Carpentry;
• Coal mines;
• Gas stations;
• Woodworking; and
• Metal factories.

Asthma and lung conditions constitute a type of occupational illness. Individual workers in Wheaton or Schaumburg may find that their asthma or lung condition develops slowly, and it may take time to develop a claim for compensation. Under Illinois law, workers who suffer an injury or illness in the course and scope of employment are eligible to seek workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits include all reasonably necessary medical expenses for treatment, as well as payments for workers who are disabled by their work-related illness.

If you had a pre-existing mild asthmatic condition, you will still be able to seek workers’ compensation benefits if your work environment aggravated or exacerbated your asthma. In other words, if you became sicker as a result of your work, you likely have a valid workers’ compensation claim. In such cases, you only need to show that your condition was previously under control but has been aggravated by your work.

Establishing that an illness was aggravated will require a reliable medical opinion, which will show how the current work conditions made the asthma worse. To come to this conclusion, a qualified medical expert will examine your overall health and medical history, the amount and strength of your actual exposure to the harmful substance or chemical, the length of your exposure to the substance or chemical, and how frequently you were exposed to it.

Seek Guidance from a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today

Lung disease is one of the most deadly occupational illnesses and should not be taken lightly. If you were exposed to dangerous substances in the workplace and have since been diagnosed with asthma or a lung disease, you should contact our diligent workers’ compensation attorneys immediately. At Therman Law Offices, we have handled numerous asthma and lung condition claims, and you can rest assured that we will do everything in our power to maximize your entitlement to benefits. We represent people in cities such as Wheaton, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Streamwood, Elgin, Bartlett, Hanover Park, Bensenville, Wood Dale, Bloomingdale, Roselle, and Carol Stream. For a free consultation with an attorney, call us today at 312-588-1900 or contact us online.