After 30 years of experience handling cases involving occupational illness, we have many tips and pieces of advice for those who have developed an occupational illness. All cases are different, and it is not certain that everything stated here will apply to you. Below are our tips:
Contact us if you want specific advice tailored to your situation.
Occupational Illness – Our Tips
- Seek medical attention immediately, as soon as possible if you notice symptoms or health issues at work that are not merely temporary. Inform your employer and the insurance company. Ensure that the injury report is completed thoroughly.
- If your doctor suspects that you have developed an illness due to your work and refers you for further assessment, contact an experienced lawyer immediately to get an overview of your rights.
- Your employer must report the matter to NAV. If the employer does not do so, you may report it yourself.
- Keep all receipts for expenses related to your occupational illness. Even if the amounts seem small when paid, they can quickly add up before your case is settled.
- Check with NAV/HELFO whether the expenses are covered and apply for reimbursement on an ongoing basis. If your claim is rejected, the insurance company may cover the difference.
- Check which other insurance policies you have – are any of them relevant to your occupational illness?
- If your sick leave period is coming to an end and you are not ready to return to full-time work, apply for work assessment allowance (AAP) in good time.
- If you are receiving work assessment allowance, maintain good communication with NAV and participate actively. NAV provides many tools and measures that can help you return to work or transition into a new career. Documentation from NAV is also relevant for your compensation case.
- If a specialist report is required, discuss your case and the choice of specialist with a lawyer experienced in occupational illness cases before agreeing with the insurance company. Sometimes, the specialist assessment organised by NAV will be used in the compensation settlement, but often a new specialist report is obtained. The choice of specialist can be crucial to your case.
- Apply for compensation for permanent injury from NAV if your symptoms do not resolve.
- If disability benefits (uføretrygd) may be relevant, you should discuss this with your NAV contact well before your work assessment period ends.
No two cases are the same. Contact us to receive advice tailored to you and your situation. We have 30 years of experience and can help you with your case.
