Cardiovascular disease is responsible for one in three deaths in the United States every year, and, according to a new report issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on August 1, workers in certain industries may be at a higher risk for life-threatening conditions like coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, compared to workers in other industries. If you have suffered a stroke, coronary heart disease, or another serious illness on the job in Georgia, contact our workers’ compensation lawyers at Rechtman & Spevak today to discuss your possible compensation options.
Workers at Greater Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
The purpose of the CDC report was to identify workers who would benefit the most from workplace programs designed to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, based on factors like employment status, occupation category, and industry of employment. In general, adults 55 and younger had a lower prevalence of a history of CHD and stroke than unemployed adults and adults not in the labor force, but the researchers did identify several groups of workers with a higher prevalence of CHD and stroke. The researchers concluded in their findings that “the higher prevalence might, in part, be caused by occupational risk factors (i.e., characteristics of the workplace or job).”
Occupational Diseases in the Workplace
According to the report, occupational risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke may include: work stress, shift work, exposure to particulate matter, noise and secondhand smoke. The researchers noted that “these factors might have both direct physiologic effects on cardiovascular health and indirect effects by influencing behavioral risk factors such as smoking and obesity.” Overall, the industry and occupation categories found to be linked to a higher prevalence of CHD and stroke were the following:
- Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services (business support services, investigation and security services, landscaping services, remediation, waste management)
- Accommodation and Food Service (bars, restaurants and other food services, recreational vehicle parks and camps, rooming and boarding houses)
- Other service and blue collar occupations (truck driver, construction worker, factory worker)
Our Skilled Workers’ Comp Lawyers Can Help
The researchers involved in the CDC report suggest that workers in industries and occupation groups associated with a higher prevalence of coronary heart disease and stroke may benefit from a Total Worker Health approach to reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease in the workplace. If you have been exposed to dangerous or unhealthful workplace conditions in Georgia, and you have since been diagnosed with an occupational illness like cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease or stroke, consult our workers’ comp attorneys at Rechtman & Spevak for legal help. Our law firm is located in Atlanta, and our qualified lawyers have years of experience protecting the rights of workers injured on the job in Georgia.
Source: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6330a1.htm
