Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a debilitating respiratory condition that can be caused by or made worse by workplace conditions. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with COPD, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. An experienced Georgia workers’ compensation lawyer can advise you of your legal options.

At Parsons Law Group, our legal team handles complex workers’ comp cases, including claims involving COPD. Founding attorney J. Michael Parsons has over 27 years of experience in the legal field. His experience representing employers and insurance companies offers him a unique advantage in understanding the claims process. He has built a firm dedicated to representing injured parties as they seek fair compensation.

Call Parsons Law Group to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Savannah workers’ compensation attorney.

How Parsons Law Group Can Help You With a COPD Workers’ Compensation Case

Workers’ compensation claims for COPD are challenging cases. Employers and insurance companies aggressively fight these claims to avoid liability. If you have a work-related COPD diagnosis, you need an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer to handle your claim.

When you hire our top-rated Savannah workers’ compensation attorneys, you can trust that we will:

  • Investigate the circumstances leading to your COPD diagnosis
  • Determine your eligibility for workers’ comp benefits
  • Assist you in finding medical specialists and other experts to obtain additional medical evidence for your claim, if necessary
  • Complete all paperwork and documents for your claim
  • Monitor deadlines for filing claims and appeals
  • Estimating future medical and disability care for a permanent impairment
  • Obtaining additional evidence to document your disability accurately
  • Negotiate a fair workers’ compensation settlement
  • Take your case to court if necessary to protect your rights

Since 2003, Parsons Law Group has represented injured workers and their families in Georgia. Our legal team has recovered over $100 million in benefits and compensation for our clients. We are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Attorney Michael Parsons has a perfect 10.0 rating with Avvo and Justia.

Contact Parsons Law Group for a free case evaluation with a Savannah workers’ compensation attorney.

What Is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a group of lung diseases that have no cure. The most common are chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD symptoms include shortness of breath, frequent coughing, excessive mucus, and trouble taking deep breaths. COPD can be a debilitating disease, even when the person receives treatment for their symptoms.

There are several complications associated with COPD, including difficulty:

  • Performing activities or work
  • Climbing and walking stairs
  • Remembering, concentrating, and making decisions

COPD makes it very difficult for a person to breathe. It is a lifelong disease that can severely alter a person’s quality of life and their ability to perform any type of work.

Risk Factors and Causes of COPD in the Workplace

There are several risk factors for developing COPD. Exposure to environmental or workplace breathing hazards is a common cause of COPD. Common workplace hazards that could lead to COPD include:

  • Lack of safety equipment and breathing equipment
  • Poor air quality, including a lack of ventilation
  • Secondhand smoke from other employees, clients, and customers in establishments that allow smoking
  • Exposure to hazardous chemicals and substances

Many industries pose a risk for workers to develop COPD. Examples of industries where workers may be at risk for COPD include, but are not limited to, mining, manufacturing, agriculture, military, woodworking, welding, and construction. If you believe work-related conditions caused your COPD diagnosis, seek immediate advice from a workers’ comp lawyer. Proving COPD is related to your work conditions for a workers’ compensation claim can be challenging.

Requirements for Proving a COPD Workers’ Compensation Claim

COPD develops slowly over a period of years, which can make proving that your job is the cause of your condition difficult. Over time, exposure to cleaning solvents, fumes, dust, occupational pollutants, paint, and other hazards can cause COPD. The exposure may be accidental, direct, or the result of a failure to provide adequate protective equipment.

Because workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, you do not need to prove wrongdoing. However, you do need to prove that work conditions caused your COPD. Your employer and its insurance provider may dispute your workers’ comp for COPD. Reasons they may give for disputing the claim include:

  • There is insufficient medical evidence to support your claim that COPD prevents you from working
  • There is no connection between workplace conditions and your COPD
  • Outside factors caused your COPD, such as a history of smoking, having a pre-existing condition such as asthma, or a family history of COPD
  • You did not report your illness in a timely manner

A workers’ comp lawyer can help you gather evidence linking your COPD to your work conditions. Your attorney gathers evidence proving your claim, including medical records and opinions from medical specialists.

Information about your work environment and history is essential. Your attorney will gather information about hazardous substances linked to respiratory illnesses that are present in your workplace. Reports and supporting documentation showing dangerous exposure levels at your workplace can also be evidence in a workers’ comp claim.

The specific challenges related to respiratory illness claims for workers’ compensation can result in litigated claims. Hiring an experienced workers’ comp lawyer as early in the case as possible gives you a better chance of receiving a favorable outcome.

Types of Benefits Available for a COPD Workers’ Compensation Claim in Georgia

Georgia workers’ compensation provides several benefits for injured employees. Workers’ compensation for occupational diseases includes:

  • All necessary and reasonable medical treatment related to your COPD diagnosis
  • Wage replacement benefits for temporary disability if you cannot work
  • Permanent disability benefits if your COPD prevents you from returning to work
  • Death benefits for your family if your work-related COPD results in death

COPD can require costly medical care and personal care as the disease progresses. Because there is no cure for COPD, you face a lifetime of expenses. Therefore, do not agree to a workers’ compensation settlement without legal advice. An attorney can help you determine the long-term medical and personal care costs.

When you accept a workers’ comp settlement, you waive your right to future benefits. Your attorney ensures that future considerations for care and wage loss are included in the settlement.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Savannah Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Did you develop COPD because of exposure to hazards in the workplace? Contact Parsons Law Group to discuss filing a workers’ compensation claim for an occupational disease. Our Savannah workers’ compensation attorneys offer free consultations for injured workers and their families.