Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Respiratory illnesses like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affect all aspects of a patient’s life. Difficulty breathing can prevent a person from working, keep them from enjoying many physical activities, and make life uncomfortable. Research indicates that air pollutants in the workplace may be a factor in many illnesses like asthma and COPD.

If you have developed occupational asthma or COPD due to your working conditions at an Oregon worksite, you need an attorney to help you seek workers’ compensation benefits for your illness. For over 30 years, attorney Jodie Anne Phillips Polich has represented workers throughout Oregon, helping them pursue the workers’ comp benefits they deserve. After serving on the Oregon Workers’ Compensation Board under former Gov. John Kitzhaber, Jodie launched her own law firm to help individuals navigate the workers’ comp system.

Contact Jodie Anne Phillips Polich, P.C., today to learn more about how we can help during a free consultation.

Can I Receive Workers’ Comp for Occupational Asthma in Oregon?

According to Oregon’s workers’ compensation laws, employees who qualify for workers’ compensation can typically receive benefits for occupational diseases such as asthma and COPD. The Oregon Workers’ Compensation Division says most employers with one or more employees must carry workers’ compensation insurance, which means you likely qualify for workers’ comp benefits.

Oregon’s workers’ compensation laws define an occupational disease as “any disease or infection arising out of and in the course of employment caused by substances or activities to which an employee is not ordinarily subjected or exposed other than during a period of regular actual employment therein, and which requires medical services or results in disability or death.”

If you developed asthma or COPD because you were exposed to potentially hazardous substances at your job or while performing certain activities at work, you likely have a strong case for a workers’ comp claim.

Bear in mind that state law says you must prove your employment conditions were the “major contributing cause” of your illness before you can recover any benefits. Workers’ comp attorney Jodie Anne Phillips Polich is ready to help you build a solid case showing your work conditions caused your illness.

What Is Asthma?

According to Mayo Clinic, asthma is a respiratory condition in which a person’s airways swell and narrow, limiting airflow. Asthma can also cause the airways to secrete extra mucus, further obstructing airflow in the lungs. These effects can lead to shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and other symptoms. There is no cure for asthma, but using an inhaler and other treatments can help patients breathe better and mitigate the illness’s effects.

What Is COPD?

COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and is a respiratory condition in which a patient’s lungs become chronically inflamed. The inflammation impairs lung function, making it difficult for patients to breathe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COPD encompasses a range of illnesses, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. As with asthma, there is no cure for COPD, but treatment can minimize its effects and help patients live relatively normal lives. Early diagnosis can help patients better manage COPD, though symptoms usually do not manifest until the disease has already caused significant lung damage.

What Are the Symptoms of Occupational Asthma and COPD?

According to the CDC, more than 20 million workers across the United States are exposed to substances that can cause occupational asthma or COPD. Common signs and symptoms of asthma or COPD include:

• Shortness of breath, especially when performing physical activities
• Chest tightness
• Wheezing
• Chronic coughing that may produce mucus that is clear, white, yellow, or green
• Chronic fatigue
• Anxiousness
• Difficulty speaking
• Swelling in the ankles, legs, and feet

What Are Some Causes and Risk Factors for Occupational Asthma and COPD?

Occupational asthma and COPD typically result from exposure to certain substances in the workplace. As the body absorbs more considerable amounts of these substances, they can collect in the lungs, causing the airways to become inflamed or irritated. The more often a worker is exposed to these dangerous substances, the more the body can absorb them, leading to a chronic illness.

Some substances and risk factors that make a worker more susceptible to developing occupational asthma or COPD include:

• Exposure to cigarette smoke, either directly or secondhand
• Large amounts of dust in the workplace
• Pollen, mold, or other airborne pollutants and irritants in the workplace
• Breathing in certain fumes, gasses, or vapors found in some workplaces
• Poor ventilation at work
• Animal dander or insect waste
• Tiny fibers of cotton or other textile materials

How Are Occupational Asthma and COPD Treated?

In some cases, occupational asthma or COPD symptoms subside once someone is no longer regularly exposed to whatever caused the illness. In many cases, though, treating occupational asthma or COPD consists of helping patients live with their symptoms and maintain their quality of life.

Some common treatments for occupational asthma and COPD include:

• Reducing exposure to substances that cause symptoms
• Long-term control medications, including combination inhalers, to reduce inflammation
• Short-term medications, such as oral or intravenous corticosteroids
• Bronchodilators to relieve coughing and shortness of breath
• Improved breathing techniques
• Oxygen therapy
• Antibiotics

What Occupations Are at High Risk for Asthma and COPD?

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, some workers with a high risk of developing occupational asthma or COPD include:

• Agricultural workers
• Veterinarians, animal handlers, farmers, and others who regularly work with animals
• Millers, bakers, and other workers who process food
• Cotton and textile workers
• Refinery workers

What Can You Do If You’re Diagnosed with Occupational Asthma or COPD?

You must see a doctor immediately if you develop occupational asthma or COPD. Without medical treatment, your illness could worsen and prove fatal. The proper treatment plan can help you maintain your current quality of life.

The next step is to report the disease to your employer and meet with a workers’ compensation attorney. An attorney can help you file a workers’ compensation claim and protect your rights while your employer finds you different work or addresses whatever issue led to your illness. If your employer or its insurer rejects your workers’ compensation claim or will not make accommodations for your condition, an attorney can advise you on what to do next and how to protect your rights.

Contact an Oregon Workers’ Comp Lawyer at Jodie Anne Phillips Polich, P.C.

You have the right to workers’ compensation benefits if your job caused you to develop asthma or COPD. Jodie Anne Phillips Polich, P.C., can help you pursue them. Contact us today to set up a free case review.