Industrial Disease Lawyer in Chicago

Industrial disease can lead to severe incapacity and even fatalities in severe cases. A worker who has endured exposure to toxic substances or unsafe working practices has the right to pursue a workers’ compensation claim according to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act.

If you or someone close to you is suffering from an industrial disease, an industrial disease lawyer in Chicago can help you recover workers’ compensation based on supporting medical documentation.

With 75 years of combined experience, Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., has advocated for injured workers in a variety of industries. Our Chicago workers’ compensation lawyers are here to provide compassionate and efficient representation.

Why Choose Charlie After Developing an Industrial Disease?

An industrial disease can have a lasting effect on your health, career, and financial stability. If you believe your condition developed because of workplace exposure, having a legal team that understands the challenges injured workers face can make a difference.

Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., has helped injured clients pursue compensation for decades while providing personal attention throughout the process. Here’s why you should Choose Charlie:

Over $100 Million Won

Our firm has won more than $100 million for clients. Our Chicago personal injury lawyers use our experience to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses related to an industrial disease.

75 Years of Combined Experience

Our industrial disease lawyers in Chicago have 75 years of combined legal experience. We understand how to investigate workplace injury claims and identify evidence that may support your case.

Serving Clients Since 2002

Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., has served injured people since 2002. Over the years, we have helped clients face the legal and financial challenges that can follow serious injuries and illnesses.

Empathy and Communication

We understand that dealing with an occupational illness can be stressful and uncertain. We take the time to listen to your concerns, explain your options, and keep you informed as your case moves forward.

No Win, No Fee

You do not have to worry about upfront attorney fees. We handle these cases on a no-win, no-fee basis, so you do not pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Free Case Consultation

You can discuss your situation with our industrial disease lawyers in Chicago during a free case consultation. We can learn more about your workplace exposure and illness, answer your questions, and explain the legal options that may be available to you.

Workers’ Compensation in Illinois

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission provides relief to workers who have fallen ill or injured themselves in the course and scope of employment.

Industrial disease is a type of compensable harm, and workers who have been diagnosed with medical conditions, such as dermatitis or asbestosis, will need to clearly show that exposure at work led to the disease.

It is important to understand that industrial disease is not an ordinary disease of life, or something that the worker may have suffered outside of their workplace. In certain cases, industrial disease may be presumed based on the employee’s occupation, such as paramedics and firefighters.

Common Conditions Our Chicago Industrial Disease Attorneys Can Represent

Occupational diseases can develop after repeated exposure to hazardous substances, unsafe workplace conditions, or other risks associated with certain jobs. These conditions may affect the lungs, skin, nervous system, or other parts of the body.

If you believe your illness is connected to your employment, our industrial disease lawyers in Chicago can help you explore your workers’ compensation options. Here are some examples of illnesses we may be able to help you with:

• Asthma: Repeated exposure to dust, fumes, chemicals, and other airborne irritants can cause asthma and ongoing breathing problems.
• Lung disease: Exposure to dust, chemicals, and other hazardous substances may lead to serious lung conditions that affect breathing and the ability to work.
• Asbestosis: Long-term asbestos exposure can cause permanent lung damage and difficulty breathing.
• Silicosis: Breathing crystalline silica dust over time can cause lung scarring and serious respiratory problems.
• Skin diseases: Repeated contact with chemicals, irritants, or hazardous materials can cause chronic skin conditions and other complications.
• Cancer: Certain workplace exposures may increase the risk of developing cancer, including cancers associated with prolonged exposure to chemicals and other hazardous substances.

If you have developed an occupational illness that may be related to your workplace, our team can review your circumstances and explain your potential options.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Industrial Disease

Workers may suffer a range of industrial diseases, including symptoms that are physical and psychological. Some employees develop skin cancer from dust and fumes, while others may receive a diagnosis of lung disease or asthma caused by exposure to chemicals and dust.

Benefits May Cover Medical Costs, Lost Wages, and Disability

After receiving a medical diagnosis, employees may file a claim for medical costs associated with treatment of their disease. They may also be entitled to lost wages for time away from work due to their symptoms and temporary or permanent disability payments.

Industrial disease symptoms and their effect on a worker’s ability to work vary. Certain workers may experience temporary disability, while others suffer an ongoing, lifelong impact. For example, permanent partial or total disability benefits may be appropriate for workers permanently affected by their disease.

Once an employee has reached maximum medical improvement from their disease and is cleared for work, they may receive permanent partial disability payments. If the worker is permanently unable to return to their job, they may receive benefits for the duration of their life.

Filing a Third-Party Claim After an Occupational Disease

In general, employees suffering illness or injury due to their workplace cannot file a personal injury claim against their employer. Workers’ compensation is the sole legal remedy. However, a common exception is when a third party, not the employer, is responsible for causing industrial illness.

As a separate lawsuit from the workers’ compensation claim, a claim against this third party would be filed in civil court. A successful plaintiff would recover compensatory damages that are not available by filing a workers’ compensation claim.

For example, the emotional pain and suffering endured by workers suffering from industrial disease may be recovered in a third-party lawsuit. An attorney can help to evaluate a potential claim for relief and explain the implications of filing a personal injury claim, which may affect benefits or compensation received.

Proving a Workplace Disease With Our Law Firm

Unlike a sudden workplace accident, an occupational disease may develop slowly after months or years of exposure. Establishing that an illness is work-related can require medical evidence and documentation of the conditions you encountered on the job. Several types of evidence may help support a workers’ compensation claim, including:

• Medical records: Medical evaluations, diagnoses, test results, and treatment records can help establish the nature of your disease and its potential connection to workplace exposure.
• Workplace exposure records: Documents showing your exposure to chemicals, dust, fumes, asbestos, or other hazardous substances may help establish what risks you encountered while working.
• Employment records: Your job title, duties, work history, and length of employment can help demonstrate how long you performed work that may have exposed you to harmful conditions.
• Safety records: Workplace inspection reports, safety violations, incident reports, and other documentation may provide evidence about hazardous conditions at your job.
• Coworker statements: Statements from current or former coworkers may help confirm the conditions you experienced and the substances you were exposed to.
• Expert testimony: Medical or occupational experts may be able to explain how workplace exposure contributed to the development of your disease.
• Documentation of lost wages: Pay stubs, employment records, and other financial documents can help demonstrate how your illness has affected your ability to work and earn income.

At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we can investigate your work history, medical records, workplace conditions, and potential sources of exposure to build evidence supporting your claim.

We can also work with qualified professionals when necessary to help establish the connection between your workplace and your illness. Our goal is to present a clear case showing how your occupational disease developed and how it has affected your health, ability to work, and finances.

What to Do if You Think You’ve Developed an Occupational Disease in Chicago, IL

Occupational diseases can develop gradually, making it difficult to know when your symptoms first became connected to your work. If you believe your illness may be related to workplace exposure, taking action early can help protect your health and your ability to pursue workers’ compensation benefits. 

Here are the steps we recommend that you take:

1. See a doctor: Get a medical evaluation and explain your job duties, workplace exposures, and when your symptoms began. Keep copies of your medical records and treatment recommendations.
2. Document your workplace exposure: Write down the chemicals, dust, fumes, or other hazardous substances you may have encountered. Include how often you were exposed and how long you worked around them.
3. Report your condition: Notify your employer about your occupational disease as soon as possible. Keep a record of when and how you reported your illness.
4. Keep records of your losses: Save medical bills, prescription costs, wage statements, and other documentation showing how your occupational disease has affected you financially and your ability to work.
5. Get a free case consultation with us: Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., can review your situation, explain your potential workers’ compensation claim, and help you understand your legal options. Contact us for a free case consultation and learn how we may be able to help.

Statute of Limitations for Workplace Illness in Illinois

Illinois law generally requires workers to file an occupational disease claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission within three years after the date of disablement if no compensation has been paid.

If you have received compensation, different deadlines may apply. Certain occupational diseases, including those involving asbestos or radiological exposure, may also have different filing periods. Because workplace illnesses often develop gradually, determining when your disablement occurred can be complicated.

If you believe your illness is related to workplace exposure, it is important to act promptly. A Chicago industrial disease attorney can help determine which deadlines apply to your claim and what steps you can take to protect your right to benefits.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Contact Us

Occupational diseases can take time to develop, and important evidence may become harder to obtain as time passes. Workplace records can change, witnesses may become difficult to locate, and medical documentation can become more complicated.

Waiting can also put your workers’ compensation claim at risk if a filing deadline passes. Contact Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., as soon as possible to discuss your situation.

Get a Free Case Consultation With a Chicago Industrial Disease Attorney

Industrial diseases and occupational illnesses caused by work impact a person’s livelihood and their quality of life. To understand how to assert your rights provided by Illinois law, contact an attorney today.

Our industrial disease lawyers in Chicago offer free case consultations, so you can discuss your situation without an upfront cost. Our law firm also works on a no-win, no-fee basis, meaning you do not pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Choose Charlie today and visit our FAQ page to learn more about your potential claim.