Legal Definitions - Occupational disease

An occupational disease is a sickness or illness that an employee develops as a result of being exposed to certain substances, working conditions, or job requirements. If an employee contracts an occupational disease, they may be entitled to compensation under state workers’ compensation laws.

For example, the Pennsylvania Occupational Disease Act provides compensation for employees who contract occupational diseases such as:

• Poisoning by benzol
• Infection or inflammation of the skin due to oils
• Asbestosis from handling asbestos
• Diseases of the heart and lungs
• Poisoning by arsenic, lead, or mercury

These examples illustrate how exposure to certain substances or working conditions can lead to serious health problems. For instance, handling asbestos can cause asbestosis, a lung disease that can be fatal. Poisoning by benzol, arsenic, lead, or mercury can also have serious health consequences.