What is the difference between a “Traumatic Injury” and an “Occupational Disease or Illness”?

A traumatic injury is a wound or other condition caused by external force, including stress or strain. It must occur at a specific time and place, affect a particular member or function of the body, and be caused by a specific event or incident, or a series of events or incidents, within a single day or work shift.

Traumatic injuries include damage solely to or destruction of prostheses, such as dentures or artificial limbs. Traumatic injuries also include damage to or destruction of personal appliances, such as eyeglasses or hearing aids, when a personal injury requiring medical services occurs.

An occupational disease or illness is a condition produced by the work environment over a period longer than one workday or shift. The condition may result from infection, repeated stress or strain, or repeated exposure to toxins, poisons, fumes, or other continuing conditions of the work environment.

The length of exposure, not the cause of the injury or the medical condition that results, determines whether an injury is traumatic or occupational. For instance, if an employee is exposed to toxic fumes for one day, the incident is considered a traumatic injury. The incident is considered an occupational disease if the employee is exposed to toxic fumes for two or more days.