Occupational skin diseases are the second most common type of work-related injury, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Various conditions are considered occupational skin diseases, including:
- Skin cancers.
- Skin injuries.
- Infections.
- Allergic contact dermatitis.
- Irritant contact dermatitis.
If you require medical attention and miss work because of any of these conditions, then it is important to inform your employer of your injury and to consider workers’ compensation.
How Work-Related Skin Injuries Happen
Workers in any industry may suffer from an occupation skin disease or injury. Some of the common reasons for skin injuries at work include:
- Exposure to harmful chemicals.
- Extremely hot or cold temperatures.
- UV or solar radiation.
- Scrapes, cuts, or bruises.
- Exposure to biological agents such as parasites.
The effect of these work-related incidents may be immediate or may happen over time. Either way, it is important to know what to do next so that you can protect your medical and financial recoveries.
What to Do If You Suffer a Skin Condition at Work
As soon as you know that you have suffered a work-related skin condition, you should notify your employer. Your employer has the right to choose your medical provider(s). You should keep all of your appointments with your medical provider and follow your doctor’s instructions about when to return to work and any work restrictions that should be in place to protect your recovery.
If you miss time from work because of your work-related skin condition or because of any kind of work-related injury, then you should also contact an experienced Iowa workers’ compensation lawyer for help. You may be entitled to weekly benefits for the time that you were unable to work. However, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company may be unwilling to provide you with fair benefits unless you fight for them.
For more information about your recovery, please start a live chat with us now or call us any time—24/7/365—to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
