Raleigh Workers’ Compensation Attorney Explains Occupational Diseases in Comp Claims:

North Carolina Workers’ Compensation benefits also extent to individuals who have gotten sick or injured because of long-term exposure to conditions on their job. Our Raleigh workers’ compensation lawyers explain what occupational illnesses and diseases are covered by workers’ compensation in North Carolina.

What Occupational Diseases Are Covered by Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina?

Under North Carolina law, if you have been diagnosed with a condition listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. 97-53 and can prove that your job caused or “substantially contributed” to the condition, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Conditions in § 97-53 include:

  • Anthrax

  • Arsenic poisoning

  • Brass poisoning

  • Zinc poisoning

  • Manganese poisoning

  • Lead poisoning

  • Mercury poisoning

  • Phosphorus poisoning

  • Poisoning by carbon bisulphide, menthanol, naphtha or volatile halogenated hydrocarbons

  • Chrome ulceration

  • Compressed-air illness

  • Poisoning by benzol, or by nitro and amido derivatives of benzol (dinitrolbenzol, anilin, and others)

  • Epitheliomatous cancer or ulceration of the skin or of the corneal surface of the eye due to tar, pitch, bitumen, mineral oil, or paraffin, or any compound, product, or residue of any of these substances

  • Radium poisoning or disability or death due to radioactive properties of substances or to roentgen rays, X rays or exposure to any other source of radiation; provided, however, that the disease under this subdivision shall be deemed to have occurred on the date that disability or death shall occur by reason of such disease

  • Blisters due to use of tools or appliances in the employment

  • Bursitis due to intermittent pressure in the employment

  • Miner's nystagmus

  • Bone felon due to constant or intermittent pressure in employment

  • Synovitis, caused by trauma in employment

  • Tenosynovitis, caused by trauma in employment.

  • Carbon monoxide poisoning

  • Poisoning by sulphuric, hydrochloric or hydrofluoric acid

  • Asbestosis

  • Silicosis

  • Psittacosis

  • Undulant fever

  • Loss of hearing

You may still be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits even if you have been diagnosed with a condition that is not specifically mentioned in § 97-53. In those cases, you have to prove both that your work caused or substantially contributed to such a condition and that your job placed you at “an increased risk as compared to the general public for developing” this condition.

How to Obtain Workers’ Compensation Benefits in North Carolina for an Occupational Disease

“Occupational disease” claims are often extremely complicated to prove and require careful attention to detail to ensure that they are not denied because of the statute of limitations. Our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys in Raleigh, NC can work with you to help get your occupational disease or condition covered by workers’ compensation so that you get the medical care you need and the salary you count on.

Learn more about workers’ compensation claims in North Carolina.

Raleigh Workers' Compensation Explains That Occupational Diseases Are Also Covered by North Carolina Workers' Compensation

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Raleigh Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Near You

If you were injured at work or in a workplace accident, contact our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers in Raleigh, North Carolina for a free consultation. We help workers all across North Carolina. We can help you and your family recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and future disability.  Our attorneys have experience in these cases to help ensure that you recover the maximum amount of compensation that you deserve for your injuries.