Professional diseases are illnesses sustained by workers during their employment or because of the nature of work. Schedule III of the Workman Compensation Act provides the list of work-related diseases. Dividing into three parts, this schedule excludes diseases in Part A and B from policy coverage.
Workman compensation insurance companies also provide additional coverage for diseases related to compressed air. And those listed under Part C of the Workmen Compensation Act.
Schedule III of WC Act, list of professional diseases covered under workman compensation insurance:
PART A
- Infectious and parasitic diseases contracted in an occupation with high contaminant risk.
- Diseases caused by work in compressed air
- Infections caused by lead or its toxic compounds
- Poisoning because of nitrous fumes
- Poisoning by phosphate esters compounds
In summary, Part A of Schedule III in the Workmen’s Compensation Act provides a detailed list of occupational diseases. Emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing health risks associated with work.
PART B
- Diseases caused by:
- Phosphorus or its toxic compounds
- Mercury or its toxic compounds
- Benzene or its toxic homologs
- Nitro and amino toxic derivatives of benzine or its homologs
- Chromium, or its toxic compounds
- Arsenic or its toxic compounds
- Radio-active substances or radiations
- Carbon disulfide
- Beryllium or its toxic compounds
- Cadmium or its toxic compounds
- Fluorine or its toxic compounds
- Nitrostat or other nitric acid esters
- Alcohols and ketones
- Asphyxiant carbon monoxide, its toxic derivatives, and hydrogen sulfide
- Substances like tar, pitch, bitumen, mineral oil, anthracene, and their residues cause Primary Epithelial skin cancer.
- Disease caused because of the toxic halogen derivatives of hydrocarbons (of the aliphatic and aromatic series)
- Work-related cataracts because of infra-red radiations manganese or its toxic compounds
- Skin diseases because of physical, chemical, or biological agents
- Hearing impairment because of noise
- Poisoning by Aldifen or a homolog or by substituted Aldifen or because of the salts of such substances
- Recognized sensitizing agents inherent to the work process cause work-related asthma.
- Lung cancer and Mesothelioma of the pleura caused by asbestos
- Primary neoplasm of the epithelial lining of the urinary bladder or the kidney or the ureter
- Snow blindness in snowbound areas
- Disease because of the effect of cold in an extremely cold climate
Part C Diseases
Anthracosis occurs because of inhaling chlorogenic mineral dust (such as silicosis or asbestosis). If silicosis is a significant factor leading to impotence or death, it can also result in silico-tuberculosis.
- Bagassosis
- Hilar diseases caused by cotton, flax hemp, and sisal dust (Byssinosis)
- Extrinsic allergic alveolitis, caused by the inhalation of organic dust
- Hilar diseases caused by hard metals
- Acute Pulmonary Oedema of High Altitude
Additional Read: How to determine post-hospitalization expenses in a worker compensation insurance
Case Study on professional diseases cover in a WC insurance
KLMI Consultant had recently relocated its office to a new location. Employees worked in cubicles. However, within a month of shifting, one of its employees-Rahul Sharma complained of a skin allergy.
In the new office, Rahul’s desk, situated in an interior area, lacked windows. Also, his cubicle was adjacent to a photocopy machine since his shift. He was complaining of unpleasant odours, a feeling of excessive tiredness, and mild irritation in eyes, nose, and throat.
Additionally, He has stored some paint boxes at the office. He complained about the increasing noise and distraction in the new workplace.
The rashes which started a week ago with itching and redness. Soon it turned into vesicular lesions and spread from initial location of hand to the volar surfaces of wrists. Because of his allergic condition, Rahul had to visit a doctor who advised him to avoid going out. As Rahul had to incur expenses on visiting the doctor and medicines, he approached his employer for compensation.
KLMI consultant had covered all its employees under the WC insurance policy. Considering Rahul’s case as an work-related disease case. The employer approached the workmen’s compensation insurance company for covering its legal liability and paid compensation to Rahul.
After scrutinizing all documents submitted by Rahul, the insurer considered it an professional ailment and agreed to settle claim. The insurer also covered medical expenses incurred by Rahul during his treatment.
Additional Read: What are different types of medical expenses covered under a workmen compensation insurance policy?
