St. Louis Workers Compensation & Work Injury Lawyer - Law Office of James M. Hoffmann

St. Louis Workers Compensation & Work Injury Lawyer - Law Office of James M. Hoffmann

Work Injury Attorney

environmental injuries

Are Allergic Reactions Covered by Workers’ Compensation in St. Louis?

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If you start noticing allergic reactions connected to your place of work, start documenting your environmental injury by going to the doctor first.

If you’ve suffered an injury while performing your work duties or you can prove that the work conditions made you ill, then you have the right to file for workers compensation. However, the process of receiving benefits can be quite confusing. That’s why it’s recommended to work with a St. Louis work injury lawyer who can help you file your claim and advise you if any problems arise. It’s a way you can ensure you will receive monetary aid to cover for medical bills and any lost wages.

The reason we mention getting a lawyer is that workers’ compensation in Missouri is given in certain cases and calculated in a specific way.  Proving that you are eligible to receive workers compensation benefits is not always so simple. Some types of injuries will not be covered, while others need to be quantified to pass the eligibility threshold.

So, what if you didn’t suffer a physical injury but an allergic reaction? Will it qualify for compensation?

Are Allergic Reactions Covered by Workers Comp?

Allergic reactions are a type of injury that is not simple to connect to its exact cause. It takes tests and sometimes trial and error to pinpoint the specific allergen that triggers your symptoms. Of course, often it is quite clear and straightforward, but this is a type of environmental injury, so you will have to prove that the exposure took place in your work environment.

For example, if you work with a certain substance and you develop a sensitivity to it, such as contact dermatitis when exposed to this irritant, then you are eligible to receive workers compensation for your medical treatment. If the allergic reaction is so severe that it prevents you from working, you may be entitled to wage loss benefits in Missouri.

What to Do If You Are Having an Allergic Reaction at Work?

If you start noticing allergic reactions connected to your workplace and the nature of your job, start documenting your environmental injury by going to the doctor first. Check if it is, indeed, an allergy to something in your work environment, and keep a log of your exposure to it and how your body reacts.

The chances of getting your claim approved increase dramatically if you work with an experienced St. Louis workers compensation attorney. Ask for their advice on how to support your claim and what Missouri laws require for a claim to pass. As per Missouri law, if your injuries keep you from doing your job or going to work at all, you are eligible to TTD benefits (temporary total disability.) The amount you will receive depends on how many days you will miss from work and what your wage was at the time of the injury.

Discuss Your Case with a Workers Comp Lawyer

If you believe you are suffering from allergic reactions due to your work environment, it is important to seek medical attention. Remember to document everything yourself, this will help when building your workers compensation case. If you are denied coverage by your employer or the insurance company, contact the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann. Do not let them deny your rightful coverage. Call us today at (314) 361-4300 or fill out our online case evaluation form.


Environmental Injuries That Are Eligible For Workers Compensation

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You may be working in an environment that could also affect your health and lead to developing certain conditions that can require medical treatment.

When you think about workplace injuries, the most common scenario that pops into one’s mind has to do with physically getting hit and suffering damage. Slip and falls, human errors, packages falling off the dock – all of these kinds of workplace accidents are eligible for compensation.

However, they are not the only types of accidents you can suffer in the workplace. You may be working in an environment that could also affect your health and lead to developing certain conditions that can require medical treatment. In these cases, does workers compensation still apply?

Benefits for Environmental Injuries

The short answer is yes. Missouri law clearly states that an employee is eligible for workers compensation both for physical injuries and illnesses. The only condition that could potentially get the claim denied is if your condition is not a direct cause, or was not influenced by your job or work environment.

By this definition, under Missouri law, your environmental injuries are also covered by workers compensation. Though there might not have been an accident, the argument here is that if you were not required to spend repeated time in a particular setting, you might not have gotten hurt or injured. As a result, you should be compensated if you do.

Types of Environmental Injuries in the Workplace

Environmental injury is a broad spectrum term that covers a variety of different issues. The common factor among all of them is that they are at least partially caused by the environment you are exposed to such as your work, your home, or other environments where you spend a lot of time.

Some common types of environmental injuries in the workplace include:

  • Heat-related illness
  • Hypothermia
  • Frostbite
  • Sunburn
  • Toxin or poison exposures

Depending on the type of environment you work in, you could potentially develop an injury solely by having repeated contact with your place of work. Additionally, those who need to work out of office, because they are required to make home visits, for instance, can be exposed to additional environmental injuries such as dog bites.

Your Claim May Be Denied

In some cases, it can be difficult to determine if your environmental injury is caused by your work or another setting you’re exposed to. The insurance company may start an investigation to determine if there is a link between your condition and your injury.

If they also find evidence that your home could have been the cause of your environmental injury, your claim may be denied. As a result, you will need to build a strong case with sufficient evidence to back up your claim.

Do Not Let Your Claim Be Denied

If you have suffered an environmental injury, contact the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann. For more than 20 years we have been helping work injury victims receive the compensation they need and deserve.

Do not let the carrier deny you benefits. Missouri Workers’ Comp enables an injured worker to receive medical benefits as well as income benefits. You should be receiving treatment for ALL of your injuries, not just the ones the insurance company wants to accept. Call us today at (314) 361-4300 or fill out our online contact form to request a free consultation.