Does Workers’ Comp Cover Occupational Disease?

Workers’ compensation laws can cover occupational diseases as well as accidental injuries. The North Carolina Rate Bureau’s description of standard policy WC 00 00 00 C says Part One covers occupational diseases and work-related injuries for employees subject to state law, and that state law defines occupational disease. It generally describes a disease resulting from conditions related to a particular occupation, excluding diseases the general public is exposed to.

That policy description is specific to North Carolina’s approved standard policy and is not a nationwide definition. Check the employee’s state statute for its disease test, exposure period, and claim deadline. Review the policy’s listed states and any special federal-act endorsements relevant to the work. Exposure may occur over multiple jobs, employers, or policy periods, which can complicate the responsible carrier and claim date. Ask the state agency how it allocates such claims.