An occupational injury, whether in an industrial setting or a standard office, is an instant injury caused by a single traumatic event like an accident (ladder fall, runaway machines, crushing injuries, etc.). Workplace industrial accidents are highly avoidable with the proper safety protocols in place.
An occupational illness or disease is the result of long-term, continuous motions or exposures in a workplace that can cause an injury, contribute to that injury, or worsen a preexisting condition. These illnesses could include toxic exposure to chemicals, repetitive motion injuries, or deafness/blindness due to sustained noise or light exposure. Contact a lawyer if you are unsure of what type of injury you have sustained.