Accidents happen in many businesses. Employees fall, get burns or may even break a bone. Another type of risk associated with workers compensation insurance are occupational diseases. According to the Centers for Disease control, they are far less common but can still impact the work environment. Most businesses are required to carry workers compensation insurance that aids in financially supporting workers those who are injured or become sick because of work.

So what are occupational diseases? Occupational diseases are illnesses that individuals obtain because they are exposed to conditions within the work environment. Conversely, they are not viruses or other illnesses easily spread from one person to another like a common cold. Rather, they tend to be illnesses directly related to the work being conducted. A common example from back in the mid-1950's occurred when men who worked in mines or factories. They would contract many lung-related illnesses due to the poor air quality in their working environments. Today, Asbestos, is one of the more common concerns today.

Here are a few key things you should know about occupational diseases and workers compensation:

• There are often time limits associated with claiming these types of benefits. These dates of the occupational diseases do change from one state to the next.
  
  
• Occupational hearing loss can sometimes be classified in this way.
  
  
• In most cases, the individual is disabled, meaning he or she cannot work as a result of the condition.

Business owners carry workers compensation insurance as a way of safeguarding their company's financials as they relate directly to this type of disease. Occupational diseases can sometimes limit a person's ability to work. They may have long-term medical bills or may even cause death. The financial severity of occupational disease is significant enough that it can cause many businesses to shutter their doors. This is one type of business insurance you do not want to be without. With this type of business insurance in place, you help minimize this risk. Nevertheless, employers should still take every step necessary to ensure high-quality working conditions are always present.

Are you covered? Call The Weimer Group at (215) 257-9171 for more information on Allentown workers compensation insurance.