Exposure to occupational diseases is possible for workers in environments where they can inhale harmful chemicals, handle dangerous materials, and hear loud noises. As a result, they can develop chronic and life-threatening conditions that affect every area of their lives.
A Savannah occupational diseases lawyer from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can review your options if you suffered damages because of occupational diseases. During your free consultation, we can learn more about your situation and advise you on how we can help.
Seeking Compensation for Occupational Diseases in Savannah, GA
Georgia workers can develop various medical ailments from their workplaces that could require short- or long-term treatment. Whichever treatment approach you or a loved one requires, you can seek compensation for damages if someone else’s negligence caused your condition. Various occupational diseases can occur in the workplace, including:
- Asthma
- Mesothelioma
- Lung cancer
- Respiratory illnesses (conditions resulting from toxic gasses, air pollution, dust)
- Skin diseases (e.g., dermatitis, skin cancer, hives, rashes, eczema)
- Musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., carpal tunnel, arthritis, tendonitis, and other repetitive strain injuries
- Hearing loss
- Infectious diseases (e.g., hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tuberculosis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV))
- Neurological problems
People who develop occupational diseases work in various industries. Workers who are at high risk of suffering complications from an illness or chronic condition contracted at work include:
- Automotive industry workers
- Miners
- Construction workers
- Factory and textile workers
- Medical professionals
- Cashiers
- Butchers
- Movers
- Warehouse workers
For a free legal consultation with a occupational diseases lawyer serving Savannah, call (404) 888-8888
Recoverable Damages Under Workers’ Compensation for a Savannah Workplace Illness
In Georgia, per O.C.G.A. § 34-9-281, employees who suffer from an injury or chronic illness in the workplace can pursue workers’ compensation benefits. When the injury or illness occurs, workers must report it to their employer within 30 days from the date of injury, per O.C.G.A. § 34-9-80. Waiting longer than 30 days could put your workers’ compensation benefits at risk.
You also must seek treatment from an authorized physician. Your employer should provide you with a list of approved medical professionals who can treat you. Additionally, you have one year from the date of injury to file a claim with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC) office.
Our attorneys can help you file a workers’ compensation claim for benefits, which include:
- Medical expenses for the occupational disease or ailment (e.g., doctor’s bills, hospital stay expenses, rehabilitation expenses, medications, travel costs related to medical care)
- Income (two-thirds of your weekly income up to the statutory cap)
- Disability benefits
- Vocational rehabilitation (if you need to retrain for another job)
- Death benefits if a loved one suffered a fatal occupational illness
Our Savannah occupational diseases attorneys will review your workers’ compensation claim and advise you on any issues you must be aware of. We can review your claim and ensure you file on time.
Savannah Occupational Diseases Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
How Our Savannah Occupational Diseases Attorneys Can Help Your Case
Hiring our attorney protects your rights and interests as you pursue compensation for your losses, whether you file a workers’ compensation claim or an injury lawsuit. We have recovered thousands in compensation for our clients and are confident we can take care of your case while you focus on your recovery. When you become our client, we can do the following:
- Investigate, determine, and document how the workplace is liable for your illness
- Gather evidence to prove how exposure on the job caused or led to your illness (e.g., medical records, witness testimony, surveillance camera footage, photos, cellphone video footage, police report, etc.)
- Identify all potentially liable parties, including any third parties
- Assess your losses and determine how much your compensation case is worth
- Assist you with filing for workers’ compensation benefits
- Communicate with parties in your case, including insurers and other legal representatives
- Manage all case-related paperwork and meet filing deadlines
- Negotiate with the insurer for your compensation
- File a lawsuit and represent you in court if we cannot settle your case
- Explain how Georgia’s workers’ compensation and personal injury laws affect your case
- Regularly update you on all case developments and answer your questions
We Can Handle Any Denials to a Savannah Workers’ Compensation Case
There is always a possibility that an employer or its insurer can deny your workers’ compensation claim. We have extensive experience with these cases and can handle this situation. Claim denials can occur for any reason. Sometimes, insurers reject a claim because they do not think an illness or injury happened at the job site or because of work-related duties. Sometimes, they may conclude that an employee caused their illness or that an employer doesn’t have enough coverage to pay an employee’s illness-related expenses.
No matter the reason, we can manage your appeal, ensuring we submit the right form to request a hearing or mediation. We will establish your case and show that you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. We represent you during these proceedings and can work on your behalf if you face a second denied claim. We will seek to resolve your case and be there for you every step of the way.
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Third-Party Liability in Savannah, GA, Occupational Disease Case
If you accept workers’ compensation benefits, you cannot sue your employer for damages and won’t be able to collect pain and suffering damages.
You can, however, file an injury lawsuit against third parties that caused these losses if we can show how they caused or contributed to your occupational illness. A third party is any party separate from an employer that demonstrated carelessness or recklessness that led to an accident, an injury, or a loss.
Other types of pain and suffering you may be able to claim include:
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of life enjoyment
Third parties can be any of the following:
- General contractors
- Subcontractors
- Property managers
- Landowners
- Architects
- Equipment manufacturers
- Vendors
- Suppliers
Time Limits Apply to Georgia Injury Lawsuits
As we investigate your Savannah, GA, workplace illness, we will identify all parties that could owe you compensation. You generally have two years from the date of injury to file an injury lawsuit against liable parties, per O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. This two-year deadline also applies to parties seeking wrongful death benefits for a family member who died from an occupational illness. The deadline ends two years from the person’s death date.
We encourage you to contact us as soon as possible so we can explore your legal options. If you are eligible to file a lawsuit, we will file on time, so you have one less thing to worry about.
Whether you’re filing on your own or with the help of an attorney, once the deadline expires, you will lose your right to sue for damages.
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We Can Represent Your Savannah Occupational Illness Case on Contingency
Our Savannah injury attorneys accept workplace accident cases on contingency. This payment arrangement means you pay us no money upfront and that we don’t get paid until we win your case. It also means you don’t have to let any concerns about legal fees deter you from seeking help from an attorney.
Workers’ compensation claims and injury lawsuits can be complex matters to sort through by yourself. Hiring an attorney can make it easier to manage a legal case. We can explain our contingency agreement more during your free consultation.
Our Savannah Occupational Diseases Lawyer Is Ready to Represent You
If you or a loved one is living with a chronic illness or medical disorder from work-related duties, you can seek financial compensation for your medical expenses, lost or reduced income, and other losses.
Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can manage your worker’s compensation claim or take legal action against a liable third party. You don’t have to handle your case alone. We can help. Call us now for a free consultation to learn more about how our Savannah occupational diseases lawyers can start on your recovery today.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
