Construction is a demanding industry and job growth is still on the rise. Many people work within the construction industry for a living, but it’s not without its risks. Over the course of your career, exposure to certain materials, chemicals, and physical demands of the job can lead to serious health issues. If you find that your construction job is what’s making you sick, you have to take action right away.
This is not just for your health, but also to understand what you can do from a legal standpoint. Whether it’s from exposure to harmful substances or a physical strain on your body, here’s what you need to know and what you need to do if you think your construction job is what’s making you ill.
Acknowledge the risks.
Construction sites are packed with a variety of substances. Some of these are safe but some of these can be very hazardous, having a harmful effect on your health if the proper safety measures are not followed. These can include everything from heavy machinery to hazardous chemicals, and even noise. The most dangerous threat that comes from construction however is often asbestos exposure.
Asbestos was widely used in construction for many years before it became known how dangerous it was. It was found in insulation, flooring, roofing, and cement. When disturbed, asbestos fibres can be inhaled, causing serious lung diseases including mesothelioma and lung cancer, and asbestosis. If you worked in construction prior to the 1980s, there is a chance that you could have been exposed to asbestos without even realising it.
Recognise the symptoms.
It can be very difficult to recognise when a construction job has caused health problems. If you suspect your health problems work related, the following symptoms could tell you:
- A persistent cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain are all respiratory issues that can be a sign of a lung condition.
- Unexplained tiredness and fatigue can signal that something is definitely wrong. Certain lung diseases, for example, can make breathing harder.
- Lingering chest pain or discomfort can be a sign of something serious such as mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure.
Get some medical help.
As soon as you make the link between your health and your construction job, you need to speak to the health care provider. Explain your work history, the symptoms that you’ve been experiencing, and whether you’ve been exposed to anything harmful. Once you do this, your doctor can start running the appropriate tests to check your lung function and to check the internal damage of your body.
Understand your legal rights.
If it is confirmed that your job has in fact caused your health issues, then you need to get some legal help. Workers who are exposed to asbestos, for example, are entitled to compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related expenses.
Understanding your legal rights in a mesothelioma claim can help you to recover not just financially, but also ensure that others aren’t exposed to the same risks that you have faced. Experienced lawyers who specialise in asbestos-related cases can help to guide you through the process and ensure that you receive any compensation that you deserve.
Talk to your employer.
It’s so important that you talk to your employer and report your diagnosis if any. Once you have recognised that your health issues are tied to your construction work, informing your employer is a no-brainer because even if they no longer use asbestos, they will have details of any other people in the company who have.
If you pursue legal action down the line, you have to document that you were exposed while you were working there. Keep hold of a detailed record of your illnesses, including any visits to the doctor and diagnosis made. And don’t wait too long to report that condition. There could be statutes of limitation or deadlines that limit how long you can wait to take legal action.
File for workers compensation.
If your illness has become a work related illness then you need to speak to your employer and legal team about workers compensation benefits. In some cases, it may not cover all of your expenses, but if this is the case you might want to explore other legal options, such as filing a personal injury lawsuit or mesothelioma claim.
Talk to your coworkers.
You may notice that you’re not the only one who’s sick. Workers compensation can help with some of your medical expenses, but if your coworkers are also getting sick and they are not making claims, you need to advise them to do so.
Exploring all of your legal options while talking to your coworkers will mean that you can come together as a group to raise the fact that you are not working in a safe environment. You may also be able to file lawsuits against the parties responsible for your asbestos exposure, such as the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products or contractors who were negligent in providing a safe work environment. Talking to coworkers can determine whether you can do anything about it as a group or not.
Take care of your mental health and your physical health.
The legal process can be a slog, especially when your employer is involved. You may not want to necessarily lose your job but if your job has been making you sick, then losing it could be the best thing that you do for yourself. Dealing with a serious illness can be overwhelming, but leaning on your loved ones around you and finding support and resources to help you to cope can make a difference.
If you believe that your construction job is the root of your illness, whether it’s from exposure to hazardous chemicals or other factors, quick action matters. Seeking medical help by reporting your illness can help you to get back on track with your health and well being, but exploring your legal rights ensures that doesn’t happen to anybody else ever again. With the right steps, you can start to recover and move forward.