PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - JD Dewitte
AU  - M Chan-Yeung
AU  - JL Malo
TI  - Medicolegal and compensation aspects of occupational asthma
AID  - 10.1183/09031936.94.07050969
DP  - 1994 May 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 969--980
VI  - 7
IP  - 5
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/7/5/969.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/7/5/969.full
SO  - Eur Respir J1994 May 01; 7
AB  - The medicolegal aspects (primary prevention, secondary prevention or surveillance) and the system of compensation (tertiary prevention) for occupational asthma are reviewed in this article. Due to the significant medical, medicolegal, social and financial consequences, it is of the utmost importance that the diagnosis of occupational asthma be proved by objective means, whenever feasible. Compensation for temporary and permanent disability/impairment should be offered to workers. Attempts to retain subjects rapidly and efficiently are preferable, as occupational asthma generally affects young workers. The evaluation of permanent asthma and the awarding of relative permanent disability compensation should be effected 2 yrs after exposure to the causative agent has ended, as asthma generally persists even after exposure to the causative agent ceases. A tabulated review of prevailing medicolegal compensation systems in various countries is presented. Data on an evaluative assessment of the Quebec system of compensation are included.