Work-Related Cancers and Your Rights Under California Workers’ Compensation
Many workers across California are exposed to cancer-causing substances on the job—yet most don’t realize they may be eligible for workers’ compensation until it’s too late. Unlike a broken bone or back strain, cancer often develops slowly over years. But just because the symptoms appear late doesn’t mean you lose your rights.
At Lee Partners Law: Work Injury Attorneys, we help workers file claims for occupational cancers—even when the diagnosis comes long after the exposure.
Common Occupations Where Cancer Risk Is Higher
Workers in these jobs are more likely to be exposed to harmful carcinogens:
Construction workers – asbestos, diesel exhaust, silica dust, welding fumes
Firefighters – smoke inhalation, PFAS chemicals in gear, diesel exhaust
Warehouse and logistics workers – prolonged diesel exposure from trucks and forklifts
Manufacturing workers – solvents, heavy metals, benzene, formaldehyde
Janitorial and maintenance staff – industrial cleaning agents and chemical exposure
Auto mechanics – asbestos (older brakes), petroleum products, welding fumes
Agricultural workers – pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers
Cancers Linked to Workplace Exposure
Some of the most commonly reported occupational cancers include:
Lung cancer – linked to asbestos, diesel, and silica
Mesothelioma – caused by asbestos exposure
Bladder cancer – tied to certain dyes, solvents, and petroleum products
Leukemia and blood cancers – benzene and other industrial chemicals
Skin cancer – outdoor workers exposed to UV radiation
Liver cancer – caused by vinyl chloride and other toxins
Throat and esophageal cancer – associated with acid exposure and chemical fumes
Kidney cancer – connected to trichloroethylene and other solvents
Brain cancer – in some cases, tied to prolonged solvent or heavy metal exposure
Latency Periods: Why Cancer Claims Are Treated Differently
One of the biggest challenges in cancer claims is the latency period—the time between when you’re exposed to a carcinogen and when symptoms show up. This could be 5, 10, or even 20 years after the exposure ends.
Workers often think they’re too late to file a claim. But under California law, that’s not necessarily true.
Labor Code §5412: The Exception That Protects Injured Workers
Labor Code §5412 protects workers whose injuries don’t appear right away. For cancer cases, this section says that the statute of limitations doesn’t begin until both:
You knew you had a work-related injury (in this case, cancer), and
You suffered disability from it (meaning you needed treatment or missed work).
So even if your job exposure ended years ago, you can still file a valid claim if:
You were diagnosed with cancer recently
A doctor believes it was caused (even partly) by your job
You’ve needed treatment, missed work, or are permanently affected
We regularly represent workers in these situations—often after insurance companies deny or delay valid cancer claims.
How to Prove a Cancer Was Work-Related
To win a cancer claim in California workers’ comp, we help clients show:
A history of exposure to known cancer-causing substances at work
A latency period consistent with the type of cancer
A medical opinion from a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) linking the cancer to your work
That your work exposure was a contributing cause, even if not the only one
You don’t need to prove your job was the only cause—just that it played a meaningful role.
What Benefits Can You Receive?
If your cancer is accepted as work-related, you may qualify for:
Temporary disability – wage replacement while you’re unable to work
Permanent disability – compensation for lasting effects or impairments
Lifetime medical care – including chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and more
Job retraining – if you can’t return to your prior job
Death benefits – for surviving dependents if the worker passes away
You’re Not Alone: Get Help With Your Workplace Cancer Claim
Getting diagnosed with cancer is devastating—physically, emotionally, and financially. But if your job played even a small role, you have rights under California’s workers’ compensation system. Many people ask, “Can work cause cancer?” The answer is yes—and in far more cases than people realize.
We’ve helped countless individuals navigate workers comp cancer claims, including those whose exposure happened years ago. Work-related cancer and occupational illness are real, and California law is on your side—even if your employer or the insurance company tries to say otherwise.
If you’re wondering whether you qualify for workplace cancer workers compensation, don’t wait. We’ll review your work history, medical diagnosis, and exposure details to help you determine whether you have a viable case.
You only get one chance to file it right. Let us help you protect your future.
If you or a loved one were recently diagnosed with cancer and think it might be tied to your job—even from years ago—you may still have time to file a claim under California law.
We offer free consultations to evaluate your case and fight to get you the benefits you deserve.
📍 Offices serving all of California, including Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and the High Desert.
David A. Lee & Michael Lee
Certified Specialists in Workers’ Compensation Law
Lee Partners Law: Work Injury Attorneys
📞 Call or Text: (310) 295-0822