Workers’ Compensation for Cancer

How Attorneys Collect Workers Comp for Cancer

An employee’s injury does not have to be caused by an accident to be covered by workers’ comp. As an employee, Workers Compensation benefits may also be collected for illnesses and diseases – such as cancer – that were a result of working conditions.

Workplace exposure to certain carcinogens can significantly increase the risk of developing various types of cancer. Workplace exposure to hazardous chemical, radiation and even the sun can result in cancer. However, proving that your cancer was caused by working conditions can be harder than proving injuries received in an accident.

Most Common Workplace Cancers

Lung cancer, mesothelioma, and skin cancer are among the most common cancers associated with occupational exposure. Efforts to minimize exposure to carcinogens, implement safety measures, and provide adequate protective equipment are essential for protecting workers’ health and reducing the incidence of occupational cancers. Some of the most common types of cancer associated with occupational exposure include lung cancer, mesothelioma, and skin cancer.

Workers Comp Attorneys for Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers caused by workplace exposure, particularly due to occupational exposure to carcinogens such as asbestos, radon, diesel exhaust, and certain chemicals found in industries like mining, construction, and manufacturing. According to the American Cancer Society, occupational exposure to carcinogens is estimated to account for approximately 13% to 29% of lung cancer cases worldwide ¹.

Workers in occupations such as miners, construction workers, and industrial workers are at higher risk due to prolonged exposure to airborne carcinogens.

Workers Comp Attorneys for Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer primarily caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. Occupations such as asbestos mining, manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding have historically had high rates of asbestos exposure. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), occupational exposure to asbestos is responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cases, with an estimated 80% of cases attributed to asbestos exposure in the workplace ².

Despite efforts to regulate asbestos use, occupational exposure continues to pose a significant risk, particularly in industries where asbestos-containing materials remain in use or are being removed during renovation or demolition.

Workers Comp Attorneys for Skin Cancer

Occupational exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight, chemicals, and other carcinogens can increase the risk of developing skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Outdoor workers such as farmers, construction workers, and landscapers are at higher risk due to prolonged sun exposure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), outdoor workers have a higher incidence of skin cancer compared to indoor workers, with approximately 2.5 to 3.5 times higher rates of skin cancer ³.

In spite of employers efforts to reduce the risk of occupational skin cancer by implementing sun safety measures, providing protective clothing, and promoting sunscreen use among outdoor workers, many workers in the US still develop skin cancer. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates that over 70,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States among workers in industries with high sun exposure, such as construction, agriculture, and transportation.

Proving Your Workers Compensation Claim for Cancer

While you are entitled to be covered for employment-related cancer through workers compensation, it is first necessary to show that the cancer directly resulted from your performance of required work-related duties. Unfortunately, this can sometimes be difficult, especially when the cancer has developed over a long period of time and/or the exposure to carcinogenic substances was many years ago.

Some cancers caused by toxic exposures may not develop until months – or even years – after the initial exposure, so it can be hard to trace the cause of the illness back to your exposure to chemicals, radiation or sun at work.

Sadly, many employers and workers’ compensation insurers will try to blame you cancer on anything other than your work environment – including heredity or non-work activities.

Evidence for Your Workers Compensation Claim for Cancer

There are several methods by which you and your attorney can try to prove that your cancer was caused by work-related responsibilities or conditions.

Demonstrating that other employees who worked with you, and/or under the same working conditions, also developed the same type of cancer can be helpful to proving your case. When multiple people within a location or specific industry develop the same or similar illness, this can be a strong indication that the cancer was work-related.

Researching recalls and changes to the law related to your work situation can also be beneficial. For example, if a chemical that you worked with has been banned or made illegal because it is known to cause cancer, you can use this as evidence that your work exposure caused you harm.

Finding a qualified and specialized doctor can also help you to document the cause of your cancer. Oncologists (cancer doctors) can help supply medical evidence to support your claim that the cancer was caused by exposure in your workplace.

Long Beach Workers Comp Attorneys for Cancer

If you applied for and were denied Workers Compensation for cancer, it is important to contact a Workers Comp attorney who is experienced in cancer cases immediately.

Proving that your cancer was caused by your work environment can be challenging. And workers comp insurers can fight you every step of the way. But an specialized workers comp attorney who has experience with cancer cases will be able to help you present the documentation you need to help you prove your cancer was work related, and  obtain the benefits you deserve.

Our Long Beach Workers Compensation attorneys have obtained millions of dollars for cancer stricken workers. We know how the California Workers Comp system works and how to obtain the maximum benefits for which you qualify.

Long Beach Workers Compensation Attorneys: 562-622-4800

Sources:

[1] American Cancer Society. “Occupational Exposures and Cancer.”
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/general-info/known-and-probable-human-carcinogens.html

[2] National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. “Asbestos-Related Diseases.”
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/asbestos/default.html

[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Skin Cancer: Outdoor Workers.”
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/statistics/outdoorworkers.htm

Our Long Beach Workers Compensation Attorneys have obtained millions of dollars in benefits for ill and injured workers across Southern California, Los Angeles & Orange County, including: Anaheim, Arcadia, Avalon, Bel Air, Bellflower, Beverly Hills, Carson, Castaic, Century City, Cerritos, Chatsworth, City of Industry, Commerce, Compton, Costa Mesa, Culver City, Downey, East Los Angeles, El Monte, El Segundo, Encino, Gardena, Garden Grove, Glendale, Hawthorne, Hemet, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Huntington Beach, Inland Empire, Irwindale, La Canada Flintridge, La Crescentia, La Puente, Laguna Hills, Lakewood, Lancaster, Lawndale, Lomita, Long Beach, Los Angeles County, Lynwood, Manhattan Beach, Marina Del Rey, Maywood, Melrose, Fairfax, Mission Hills, Monrovia, Montebello, Monterey Park, Montrose, Newhall, North Hollywood, Northridge, Orange County, Palmdale, Palos Verdes, Paramount, Pico Rivera, Porter Ranch, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rancho Santa Margarita, Redondo Beach, Rosemead, San Diego, San Gabriel, San Marino, San Pedro, Santa Ana, Santa Clarita, Santa Fe Springs, Santa Monica, South El Monte, South Gate, Studio City, Sylmar, Temple City, Toluca Lake, Topanga, Torrance,  West Hollywood, West Los Angeles, Westminster, Westwood, Whittier and more.