New Jersey Occupational Disease Injury Lawyers
Sussex County attorneys seek compensation for corporate negligence
In New Jersey as elsewhere, workers can develop serious medical conditions due to repeated or sustained exposure to harmful substances and other hazardous conditions. Occupational diseases can affect a worker’s health, ability to work and long-term quality of life. If you have suffered an illness you believe is connected to your job, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. For more than 60 years, the firm of Hollander, Strelzik, Pasculli, Vandenberg, Hontz & Associates LLC has helped injured workers overcome obstacles to obtaining compensation. Our New Jersey occupational disease injury lawyers can help you assert your rights to the financial benefits you deserve.
Common occupational diseases affecting Newton workers
Workers employed in construction, manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, public works and service industries can be exposed to dust, chemicals, repetitive motion, loud noise or infectious agents that can lead to chronic illness. Common occupational diseases include:
- Respiratory conditions — Asthma, COPD and lung disease can be caused by long-term exposure to silica, asbestos or other airborne particles.
- Repetitive stress — Carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis frequently arise in physically demanding jobs or those involving repetitive motion.
- Hearing loss — Prolonged exposure to industrial noise can cause impairment to the ears.
- Cancer — Prolonged exposure to toxic substances contributes to certain cancers.
Because occupational diseases often develop gradually, workers may not recognize their condition as a workplace injury.
Proving work-related exposure caused the illness
Occupational disease claims require careful proof of a connection between the workplace and the illness. The burden is on the worker to demonstrate that workplace conditions materially contributed to the development or worsening of the disease. Insurance carriers may argue that diseases stem from personal habits, risk factors, aging or outside exposures. A physician must diagnose the condition and provide an opinion linking it to workplace exposure. Employment records and exposure histories must support the claim.
Workers’ compensation benefits for occupational disease claims
New Jersey workers’ compensation law provides benefits for medical treatment and for loss of income arising from an occupational disease.
Workers who are temporarily unable to work can receive temporary total disability benefits, which replace a portion of lost wages. If the illness results in lasting impairment, workers may qualify for permanent partial or permanent total disability benefits based on the severity of the condition. In cases of fatal illness, surviving dependents can receive death benefits.
Filing deadlines and notice requirements in New Jersey
Strict deadlines apply to occupational disease claims. In New Jersey, injured workers generally must provide notice to their employer within 90 days of learning that the illness relates to their job. Workers must file a formal Claim Petition within two years of the date they first became aware of the relationship between the employment and the disease or within two years of the last compensation payment.
Because occupational diseases develop slowly, determining when the statute of limitations begins can be complex. An experienced NJ workers’ compensation lawyer can help ensure your claim is filed on time.
Denied occupational disease claims and appeals
Insurance companies sometimes dispute occupational disease claims by arguing that the condition is not work-related, that exposure was insufficient or that the claim was filed too late. If your claim is denied, you have the right to file a formal Claim Petition with the NJ Division of Workers’ Compensation. The case may proceed through discovery, medical evaluations, motion hearings and, if necessary, a trial before a workers’ compensation judge. Appealing a denial requires thorough medical evidence and presentation of facts. With experienced legal representation, workers in Sussex County can challenge unfair denials and pursue the benefits they need to protect their health and financial security.
Contact our NJ workers’ comp lawyers to discuss your occupational disease claim
Hollander, Strelzik, Pasculli, Vandenberg, Hontz & Associates LLC, with offices in Newton and Succasunna, handles workers’ compensation claims for occupational illnesses. Please call 973-737-1023 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
