There are a lot of hazards on the job, and things don’t get any easier when you already have a pre-existing medical condition or the predisposition to develop one.
Fortunately, workers’ compensation is there to cover workers who are injured or harmed on the job. This includes situations where a worker either develops an illness like asthma or experiences a worsening of their condition.
What is work-related asthma?
Work-related asthma, which may also be known as work-induced asthma, affects the lungs and airways. This disease may lead to the airways narrowing and becoming inflamed. Some common symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Tightness in the chest
- Wheezing
While asthma can usually be controlled with medications, it’s typically best to avoid the triggers that cause symptoms. Work-related asthma is unique because it is triggered by exposure on the job. Someone with work-related asthma may have had asthma in the past or may have developed it as a physical response to exposure to certain triggers.
Whether the condition is a new-onset condition or one that a worker knew they had in the past, worsening asthma has to be taken seriously. Someone who has an asthma attack should receive emergency care. People who start to develop breathing issues should see a medical provider as soon as possible.
Will workers’ compensation cover work-related asthma?
Workers’ compensation should provide coverage for workers with work-related asthma as long as the condition can be tied to the job in some way. That might mean that the condition first developed while working in the workplace or that the worker’s previous diagnosis was triggered in the workplace.
If you suffer from asthma or symptoms of the condition, tell your employer. You should be able to seek medical treatment and may be able to get coverage from workers’ compensation so that you can recover without financial concerns.