What illnesses or injuries are covered by Workers’ Compensation? Workers’ compensation law specifies that any sudden injury, cumulative trauma, or illness that occurs during the course of employment qualifies for a compensation claim. To receive benefits, employees will need strong medical evidence that workplace exposure caused or contributed to the illness.
Illnesses or injuries are divided into the following categories:
- Occupational illnesses: Work-related illnesses can range from traditional occupational diseases such as lung illnesses from toxic substances to COVID-19.
- Repetitive motion injuries: Repetitive strain or stress injuries (RSI) are prevalent in all industries. Unfortunately, these injuries can be excruciating and debilitating.
- Pre-existing conditions: Employees can claim compensation if a work injury aggravated a pre-existing injury or illness.
- Hearing loss: This type of injury is commonly suffered by people who work in noisy environments where constant exposure weakens their hearing.
- Stress-related injuries: The state of California allows workers’ compensation claims for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other stress-related psychological conditions, but only if they were caused by a sudden, extraordinary traumatic event at work.
- Stress Resulting from Physical Injury: Pain, isolation, and life changes that come with serious physical injuries and disabilities often lead to sleep disturbances, depression, and anxiety. These conditions are considered a “compensable consequence” of the original work-related injury.
- Death due to work-related injury or illness: Eligible dependents of the employee are entitled to collect death benefits from workers’ compensation.
The rules for workers’ compensation coverage for injuries and illnesses can be very complicated. We encourage you to contact our legal team, and we will be happy to guide you through your workers’ compensation process.
