Many workers are exposed to second-hand smoke and chemicals on a daily basis while they work. In casinos, restaurants, and bars throughout the United States, workers perform their job duties in an environment filled with second-hand smoke. Employees who inhale fumes from cleaning supplies and other chemicals are also exposed to toxins. Workers never anticipate that their exposure to second-hand smoke, cleaning supplies, or other chemicals can lead to lung cancer. If you are diagnosed with lung cancer because of long exposure to second-hand smoke or chemicals, you have rights under workers’ compensation laws. What is Workers’ Compensation? Many of the benefits that worker’s compensation offers are available to employees who are diagnosed with work-related diseases. Each state has laws that require most employers to provide a workers’ compensation insurance policy. If eligible, workers diagnosed with a work-related disease can receive assistance with medical expenses, medical care, treatment, rehabilitation, partial compensation for lost wages, and partial, temporary, or permanent partial disability. Workers’ compensation benefits are provided for employees for free. Lung Cancer from Second-Hand Smoke and Exposure to Chemicals There are 69 toxic chemicals, like arsenic, in second-hand smoke that cause cancer, and many other chemicals, such as formaldehyde, that may also contribute to the development of lung cancer. Formaldehyde is also found in glue, insulation, paneling, and in many cleaning supplies. People who clean, install insulation, work in construction, work as a remodeler, or work in a bar or other hospitality establishment that allows smoking are at risk of developing lung cancer. As the stages of cancer advance, the symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and bloody mucus. Treatment for lunch cancer includes chemotherapy, surgery, biopsies, and radiation. The type of lung cancer, stage, side effects caused by treatment, your age, general health, and whether or not cancer can spread will determine the type of treatment you may need. You Are Entitled to Workers’ Compensation You should consider filing a workers’ compensation claim if you are diagnosed with a work-related disease such as lung cancer. Filing a claim can help you get the medical care and treatment you will need. Combating a dangerous disease, like lung cancer, takes time and money. Workers’ compensation offers many benefits that may be made available to you if your lung cancer is caused by your job. Help with lost pay. If you are left unable to work because you need surgery, treatment, and rehabilitation because of your diagnosis of lung cancer, you may meet the criteria for partial compensation of your lost wages. Workers’ compensation provides for both partial and permanent disability when workers are unable to work because of a work-related illness. Assistance with medical costs. Workers’ compensation can help cover the costs of lung cancer treatment such as surgery, examination, radiation, chemotherapy, medications, rehabilitation, hospitalizations, and follow-up visitations. Get the Legal Help You Need A workers’ compensation lawyer can answer any questions you may have. They can provide you with the assistance you need. You may be asked to sign documents related to your claim. Do not sign them without consulting an attorney. You may be signing over your rights. Doing so may leave you covering your own medical costs. If you have been diagnosed with a work-related lung cancer, it’s important that you seek consultation with a worker’s compensation attorney - as soon as possible. You may need help getting all the benefits you need. An experienced attorney can help you navigate through the benefits that may be available to you. It’s important that you know your rights under workers’ compensation laws.
