Occupational Disease and Workplace Injury Compensation

If you have developed an occupational disease, it is important to get help in assessing your case and to receive information about your rights. We can assist you in obtaining compensation for loss of income, treatment costs and other expenses from your employer’s insurance company. We can also help you get an occupational disease approved. With extensive experience in selecting specialists, preparing final compensation claims and negotiating with insurance companies, we are well equipped to assist you.

The rules for occupational diseases are the same as for workplace injuries.

Many people find it challenging to handle a case on their own against an insurance company. We help you with this, so that you can focus on your own rehabilitation.

Am I entitled to compensation from my employer after an occupational disease?

If you develop an illness at work, you may be entitled to compensation.

An occupational disease case is a matter between you and the insurance company with which your employer has taken out workplace injury insurance. Only in very exceptional cases can the employer be held liable.

Why is it important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible?

This is because early guidance helps safeguard your rights in the best possible way. There are several important matters to be aware of early in the process, and your case may become more difficult to handle if you are not familiar with these.

Read more here about our advice if you are injured at work and our answers to frequently asked questions.

Many of our clients initially try to handle their case themselves, but find it challenging. We can refer to several examples of cases where our clients have succeeded in their compensation claims after workplace injuries.

Do I have to pay legal costs?

The first consultation takes place over the phone and is always free of charge. You decide whether you want us to assist you further. In any case, you will receive tips and guidance on how to proceed.

As a general rule, the insurance company will cover our legal fees. You will receive more information about this before signing an engagement agreement with us.

Why should you contact Unneland Law Firm?

We can cautiously estimate that you may achieve between 50% and 100% higher compensation by using our services compared to handling your case on your own against the insurance company. In other words, you are likely to receive more accurate compensation with professional legal assistance.

Unneland Law Firm AS has specialist expertise with more than 30 years of experience. Our lawyers work exclusively with personal injury cases – occupational diseases, workplace injuries and traffic injuries – and therefore have strong expertise in this field.

You can decide for yourself whether you need assistance after speaking with us; we will still provide you with advice and information on what to be aware of.

What compensation am I entitled to for an occupational disease?

If you develop a disease at work, you may be entitled to compensation for loss of income, expenses, future loss of income (general compensation), loss of household services, compensation for permanent injury, both from the insurance company and NAV, compensation for pain and suffering, loss of dependants and legal costs.

You can read more about compensation for occupational diseases.

Can I receive compensation for an occupational disease?

It is often a complex, demanding and time-consuming medical process to establish an occupational disease. The employer is obliged to report a workplace injury to NAV, and you are responsible for reporting the injury to the employer’s insurance company. The legal framework is complex, and extensive discretionary assessments must be made. You will therefore very often need legal assistance to ensure that the correct evaluations are made. The lawyer you choose must have extensive experience in this area.

Here you can read more about your rights in the event of an approved occupational disease.

Here you will find examples of cases where compensation has been awarded for occupational disease.

Solvent injury compensation

Solvent injury is a condition caused by exposure to toxic substances. If you have been exposed through your work in your workplace, this may qualify as an occupational disease.

What should I do if I suspect I have developed an occupational disease?

We often receive questions from clients who suspect they have become ill as a result of their job and whether it may be an occupational disease. How do I clarify if it is an occupational disease? Who approves occupational diseases? When did the illness occur?

These questions are often complex in occupational disease cases, and we recommend that you contact us to discuss your case.

Are there special rules at NAV for occupational diseases?

NAV provides extensive information for those who have become ill due to work, and in cases of occupational disease there are more favourable rules for calculating the basis for sickness benefits, work assessment allowance and disability pensions. Read more here.

As a general rule, Helfo covers all treatment and medication expenses in occupational disease cases without requiring a co-payment. Find application forms and more information here.

What must I prove?

You must prove that you developed the illness through your work. Your medical records are key evidence in demonstrating that you have developed a disease. These records are often crucial when later proving that the illness is work-related. Our experience shows that this is a factor that can create challenges and weaken your case if the documentation is insufficient. It is therefore important to consult a doctor or healthcare provider regularly to ensure proper documentation of your condition.

When can the case be concluded?

When the condition has stabilised and is considered permanent—normally after 2–3 years—a specialist assessment should be obtained to evaluate your injuries. The specialist determines the degree of medical disability according to the Norwegian compensation table. The specialist will also describe your ability to function in working life—i.e., how much you are able to work. The choice of specialist is important and may be decisive for the outcome of your case. We assist in selecting the right specialist to ensure the appropriate expertise and experience.

Do you have other insurance policies?

Check which insurance policies you have and notify the company in writing. This is important for interest on late payments and to avoid limitation of your claim. In some cases, you may have overlapping insurance policies and claims against multiple insurers.