When most people think of worker’s compensation, they usually think of getting paid back for an incident in which an injury occurred on the job. Typically, it is something like throwing out your back while working or falling off a ladder and breaking your arm. This is called a single event claim, and in the past if an injury wasn’t the result of an accident then there was no worker’s compensation claim.

Contact us online or call us at (580)-765-2541 today to schedule your consultation with an attorney at Lobaugh Law Firm.

But today, single event injuries aren’t the only types of claims eligible for worker’s compensation. Two types of claims that are becoming more common are cumulative injury claims and occupational disease claims. In fact, according to the Occupational Safety and Administration (OSHA), cumulative injury claims are now the most common and most costly occupational health problem in the United States, with hundreds of thousands of workers affected at a cost of more than $20 billion dollars in worker’s compensation costs.

Cumulative Injuries

A cumulative injury, also known as an occupational injury, is simply an injury that is the result of not one incident, but the wear and tear from day to day activities on the job. These injuries can be caused by repetitive motions such as hammering a nail; motions using force like as lifting, pulling, pushing, or gripping; poor posture or awkward body positions; mental stress; and lack of recovery time such as rests and breaks.

All of these activities can lead to a number of different kinds of injuries. One of the most common is carpel tunnel syndrome, but tendon injuries such as tendonitis, bursitis, and tennis elbow are other examples of cumulative injuries. Joint problems and muscle tension can also be a result of these repetitive motions, as can nerve issues and back pain.

The difficulty can arise from trying to prove that these injuries were the result of doing your job. That’s how we can help. At Boettcher & Lobaugh we have over 30 years of dealing with employment law, including workers’ compensation claims. Our mission is to fight for the working man, and we can help you prove that your injury should be covered by workers’ compensation.

Occupational Diseases

In addition to cumulative injuries, occupational disease claims are increasing as well. An occupational disease is simply a medical condition that occurred as the result of more than one day at work. This can occur from frequent exposure to hazardous materials, chemicals, and other substances for a period of time. Other causes that can trigger an adverse reaction in your body are extended exposure to loud noises, radiation, fumes, and toxins. Exposure to these substances can cause cancer, lung disease, skin disease, liver disease, and musculoskeletal diseases.  Mesothelioma, for example, is cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos particles.

Set Up An Appointment With Lobaugh Law

There is a statute of limitations when it comes to filing a worker’s compensation claim for cumulative injuries and occupational diseases, and it can be difficult to trace the injury or disease back to your job. That’s why it is important to have an experienced lawyer on your side who knows workers’ compensation law inside and out and can give you the personal, one-on-one attention you deserve. If you have a cumulative injury or an occupational disease and are considering filing a workers’ compensation claim, you need to talk to us. To schedule, a consultation with an attorney at Lobaugh Law Firm contact us or call us at (800) 375-3333 today.

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