Abstract
Not every disease which relates to work qualifies as an occupational disease according to German law. As there is a legal duty for doctors to report occupational diseases, doctors should know in which case a disease fulfils the requirements to be notified as occupational disease. This article gives an introduction to the legal framework applying to occupational diseases in Germany. It describes different types of occupational diseases and the requirements for a recognition. Expert opinions given by medical experts often are necessary to determine whether a disease can be recognized as occupational disease. Medical experts examine whether a disease was caused by a specific exposure at the workplace. Occupational diseases can lead to an impairment of earning capacity. Medical experts provide help with assessing such an impairment of earning capacity. This article provides useful information for medical experts as to the legal requirements for rendering medical expert opinions in court procedures, administrative procedures concerning occupational diseases.
Die ärztliche Zusammenhangsbegutachtung, d. h. die gutachterliche Klärung der Frage, ob ein ursächlicher Zusammenhang zwischen einer beruflich bedingten Einwirkung und einer Erkrankung besteht, hat eine zentrale Rolle in der Anerkennung von Berufskrankheiten auf dem Gebiet des SGB VII.
Schlüsselwörter
Medizinrecht - Berufskrankheit - Versicherungsrecht - medizinisches Gutachten - Lungenkrankheit
Key words
medical expert opinion - insurance law - occupational illness - occupational disease - health care law
