Industrial Disease Compensation 27/7/2010

In case an employee suffers due to conditions arising from the workplace, he may be eligible to a personal injury claim. Considering certain factors, such may lead to an industrial disease compensation claim, if he was exposed to dangerous substances, harmful working environment, or injurious systems.

Such conditions that enable an employee to claim industrial disease compensation are: industrial respiratory diseases, industrial skin diseases, occupational deafness, asbestosis, lung cancer, dermatitis, pneumoconiosis, mesothelioma, carpal tunnel syndrome, vibration white finger, repetitive strain injury, chronic bronchitis / emphysema, asthma and tetanus.

Some employers say that improved working condition decreased the number of industrial disease victims. However, upon being aware of the occupational diseases and the instances of industrial disease compensation the employer could claim, he should then make sure that his medical condition—and industrial injuries, had there been any—is known to his employer, to receive the correct treatment.

Realizing that one suffers from an industrial disease takes time, since symptoms may appear at a latter time or may be misdiagnosed for another sickness. Practical steps (similar to any workplace compensation claims) then are needed to guarantee medical treatment and industrial disease compensation:

• Report the disease to the supervisor.
• Report the disease to the first aid representative of the workplace.
• Report the disease to the representative of the union, if the employee is a member of one.
• Record the details of the disease in a workplace accident book, and signed upon agreement with the given description.
• Get medical attention, and, if available, a hospital or clinic would be helpful. No matter how insignificant some details might seem, the employee should have a full record of his medical notes.
• Answer a workplace accident questionnaire completely. The sooner completion might result to more accuracy of description. This may help the employer to prevent hazards to other employees.
• Answer a workplace accident questionnaire completely. The sooner completion might result to more accuracy of description. This may help the employer to prevent hazards to other employees.
• Assist the supervisor in the investigation and documentation of the disease or accident.
• Notify the employer of the medical findings and the employer must, in return, report to the Health and Safety Executive, if the employee needs to defer from working and be permitted to have a sick leave.
• Notify the employer of the medical findings and the employer must, in return, report to the Health and Safety Executive, if the employee needs to defer from working and be permitted to have a sick leave.
• Keep a diary of physical symptoms—including descriptions and dates.
• Also keep other pertinent records, such as receipts, for further documentation of expenses such as: travel expenses to the hospital, income loss, and prescription expenses.