Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a broad term that refers to many different types of progressive lung disease. Chronic bronchitis, refractory asthma and emphysema are a few of the diseases which fall under this umbrella term. Some people develop COPD after smoking for many years. However, many others contract it due to exposure to toxic fumes and lung irritants on the job.
If you have been diagnosed with COPD, and you believe that you developed the disease due to your working conditions, you may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim in Virginia. This type of occupational disease claim can be more challenging to file than other types of workers’ compensation claims. So, you should make sure to seek help from an experienced and dedicated workers’ compensation attorney at Marks & Harrison for help with your claim.
What Is COPD?
As the COPD Foundation explains, COPD is a condition that mainly affects a person’s lungs. In other words, it is a “pulmonary” condition. It is an “obstructive” disease because it involves problems with air moving in and out of the lungs, and it is “chronic” because it is a long-term condition.
Although COPD mainly affects a person’s lungs, it can affect other parts of the body, too. A person who suffers from COPD may also experience heart disease, muscle weakness, obesity, difficulty swallowing, osteoporosis, sleep apnea, sinusitis, memory issues and/or depression. Individuals with COPD also face a higher risk of developing lung cancer.
Many different diseases and conditions are associated with COPD. The three most common are:
- Emphysema – When air sacs of the lungs become enlarged and damaged
- Chronic bronchitis – Inflammation of tubes which carry air to and from the lungs
- Refractory, or non-reversible, asthma – Swelling of the airways, which causes them to become narrow and produce extra mucus.
Currently, no cure exists for COPD. However, with the right diagnosis and treatment, individuals suffering from the condition can manage it so they can breathe more easily and enjoy a good quality of life while living with COPD for many years, according to the COPD Foundation.
Does Workers’ Compensation Cover COPD?
In Virginia, nearly anyone that has been injured at work can claim workers’ compensation benefits. COPD is known as an occupational disease because people sometimes develop it due to their work environment. For example, if a person is exposed to pollution, hazardous gases or fumes, large amounts of second-hand smoke or smoke from cooking in a kitchen that lacks proper ventilation can all cause COPD. In these instances, a person could potentially claim workers’ compensation benefits.
As with any workers’ compensation claim, the condition must be related to a person’s line of work. For example, a smoker that works in a safe environment cannot claim workers’ compensation for COPD. This is because the person’s own lifestyle likely contributed to the condition more than the person’s line of work. On the other hand, if a worker operates around toxic fumes all day on the job, that worker should be able to establish his or her right to workers’ compensation benefits.
In Virginia, as in all other states, workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. It does not matter whether the employer or employee contributed to the development of the disease. The worker should still be eligible for benefits. For example, if a worker did not handle toxic fumes properly, or an employer failed to properly train its staff to manage the hazardous fumes correctly, the worker could still be eligible to claim workers’ compensation for COPD.
How Do You Prove a COPD Workers’ Compensation Case?
COPD is a condition that typically develops over a period of many years. As a result, it can be difficult to prove that the worker’s employment environment served as the cause of the disease. To make a claim, individuals with the disease must present clear medical evidence that shows that they suffer from COPD. This can include medical records, a diagnosis report and a doctor’s written statement.
A worker who files a claim must also present clear evidence that the worker was exposed to dangerous fumes, gases and other toxins in the line of work. For example, a firefighter may be able to prove fairly easily that smoke caused the condition due to the nature of the firefighter’s job. However, a cook in a kitchen may have a more difficult time proving that the space was not properly ventilated – especially if the employer corrected the problem after the worker’s exposure.
What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?
The Virginia workers’ compensation system provides many benefits to those who suffer from COPD as a result of their exposure to hazardous substances on the job. These benefits include:
- Medical benefits
- Wage-loss benefits
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Death benefits for dependent children and spouses.
The amount of benefits will depend on many factors, including the nature and extent of medical treatment which the worker requires and whether the worker can return to work despite his or her condition.
Can I Sue If I Get COPD from My Job?
In most cases, workers’ compensation serves as the exclusive remedy for workers that have developed COPD on the job. In other words, they cannot sue their employers for compensation beyond what the workers’ compensation system provides. However, in some cases, workers may be able to bring third-party claims against non-employers who caused their exposure to dangerous fumes and, ultimately, their development of COPD.
A third-party claim can provide compensation that includes not only past and future medical expenses and loss of income damages but also non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and emotional distress. Unlike a workers’ compensation claim, a third-party claim requires proof of fault.
Our Virginia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Are Ready to Help You
If you have developed COPD as a result of your employment, you may be entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits and, potentially, additional compensation. Claims involving COPD can be more challenging to establish than other types of workers’ compensation claims. That is why you should seek help immediately from our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at Marks & Harrison. We can provide a free consultation and get to work on your case right away. Contact us now to get started.
