When you suffer an injury, such as a broken bone, sprain or cut, while on the job, it is fairly easy to prove it was work-related. On the other hand, determining if an illness or condition is definitively work-related can be a trickier matter. It often takes comparing your symptoms with your working conditions.
Dermatitis is a skin condition that is often caused by exposure to chemical agents. Sometimes these agents can be found in workplaces. There are two forms of dermatitis; contact and allergic. Symptoms of dermatitis include hives, itchiness and rashes.
Contact dermatitis can be triggered by contact with such substances as epoxy resins, nickel dust, chemical solvents and adhesives. Allergic dermatitis can spring from exposure to pesticides and latex as well as many of the same elements that cause contact dermatitis. A person may develop an allergy to a substance after only a brief exposure, or an allergy could develop after many years.
Contact and allergic dermatitis are commonly reported occupational diseases. Yet, should you suffer from either condition and believe the symptoms are work-related, you may have difficulty receiving compensation if you file a claim. This is because both allergic and contact dermatitis can result from exposure to elements that can be found in a variety of environments. You will likely have to prove that your condition was caused by agents that you came in contact with while on the job.
An Illinois workers’ compensation attorney may be able to help you get the funds you need to pay for the treatment of your condition. The attorney could go over your medical records and perform an investigation of your work environment. The attorney may be able to provide the evidence you need to get your claim paid.