Unfortunately, some workers in Hollywood and across Florida are exposed to dangerous substances on the job. The most serious of these can cause life-threatening conditions, such as cancer.
Sino-nasal cancer (also spelled sinonasal cancer) is one of the less-common occupational cancers. If you’re diagnosed with this or any other disease and suspect workplace exposure may have played a part, you might be wondering if you have a claim or whether you qualify for workers’ compensation. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to establish a link between workplace cancer and exposure, in part because exposure can happen years or even decades before diagnosis.
This is one claim you don’t want to take on alone. If you’ve been diagnosed with Sinonasal cancer or any potentially workplace-related illness, contact a Florida workers’ compensation attorney at Flaxman Law Group. We can delve deeper into whether you have a claim and can meet with you in a free accident consultation to talk over your options.
What is Sino-Nasal Cancer?
This cancer affects the sinuses, or the area behind the nostrils. There are several types of this cancer:
- Squamous cell carcinoma, which affects the membrane surrounding the sinuses and nasal cavity.
- Adenocarcinoma, which affects the glands that moisten the sinuses.
- Adenoid cystic carcinoma, which usually impacts the nerves in the head.
- Mucosal melanoma, which develops in the sinus tissue responsible for creating mucous.
- Esthesioneuroblastoma, which affects the olfactory nerve (the part of the nose that helps us have a sense of smell).
If I’ve Been Diagnosed With Sino-Nasal Cancer, Do I Have a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
In Florida, most workers are covered by workers’ compensation insurance and under state laws you can file a claim if your work conditions caused an illness or if you’ve suffered a workplace injury.
Sino-Nasal cancer can be caused by several factors, and some studies have linked it to occupations where employees may be exposed to wood and leather dust. The trouble is that there is no test to prove that a cancer was caused by a specific factor. This can make it challenging to prove that a cancer is linked to a workplace.
That doesn’t mean there is no hope. An experienced personal injury attorney can investigate all potential causes of a cancer and can work with medical experts and expert witnesses. In addition, if there are other workers at the same company who have also been diagnosed with the same cancer, this can significantly strengthen the case. Since Sinonasal cancer isn’t very common, a pattern of diagnoses can show that workplace exposure may have played a part.
If I’ve Been Diagnosed, What Can I Do?
We recommend that you contact Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation with a Florida workers’ compensation attorney. Every situation is different, so speaking with a lawyer is an important way to explore any options for compensation.
Today, the prognosis for Sinonasal cancer is good if it is caught early. If it’s caught before it has moved beyond the nasal cavity, the 5-year survival rate is 86%. New treatments are also being developed all the time, which will hopefully give current and future patients even better odds.
However, the cost of cancer care is very high. Patients usually need to take months away from work and chemotherapy, surgery, and other interventions can add up to thousands or tens of thousands of dollars, even with medical coverage.
Working with a Florida workers’ compensation attorney can be important because you’ll want to explore any possible paths to benefits and compensation. The legal team at Flaxman Law Group has recovered over $100 million for our clients and our family-founded and family-run law firm treats every client with compassion and respect. If you’ve been injured or have had a life-changing diagnosis, contact us for your free accident consultation.