Evaluation of disability of occupational illness claims for workers' compensation

Abstract EN

Background: Occupational physicians are faced with the challenge of estimating the contribution of occupational and non-occupational risk factors to a particular work-related illness for workers' compensation.

This paper proposes guidelines for occupational physicians to evaluate claims for presentation to a compensation board.

Methods: Occupational bladder cancer was taken as an example.

Relevant literature was obtained and reviewed.

Result: A worksheet was designed to record pertinent information about occupational illness.

The procedure for handling a claim is described.

Conclusion: To the best of my knowledge, this is the first published work in the medical literature regarding this issue.

Failure to follow such an approach may lead to gross inequities.