---
title: O.C.G.A. § 34-9-281. Prerequisites to compensation for occupational disease.
collection: code
id: 34-9-281
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 34-9-281 (2025)
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source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t34-(v26)-2017-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=ba91129b_0#page=918
date: 2025
status: active
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heading_path: LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS / WORKERS’ COMPENSATION / COMPENSATION FOR OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 34-9-281. Prerequisites to compensation for occupational disease.

(a) Where the employer and employee are subject to this chapter, the disablement or death of an employee resulting from an occupational disease shall be treated as the occurrence of an injury by accident; and the employee or, in the case of his or her death, the employee’s dependents shall be entitled to compensation as provided by this chapter. The practice and procedure prescribed in this chapter shall apply to all the proceedings under this article except as otherwise provided.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Code section, an employer shall be liable for compensation under this article only where:

(1) The disease arose out of and in the course of the employment in which the employee was engaged under such employer, was contracted while the employee was so engaged, and has resulted from a hazard characteristic of the employment in excess of the hazards of such disease attending employment in general; and

(2) The claim for disablement is filed within one year after the date the employee knew or, in the exercise of reasonable diligence, should have known of the disablement and its relationship to the employment; but in no event shall the claim for disablement be filed in excess of seven years after the last injurious exposure to the hazard of such disease in such employment; provided, however, that an employee with asbestosis or mesothelioma related to exposure to asbestos shall have one year from the date of first disablement after diagnosis of such disease to file a claim for disablement. In cases of death where the cause of action was not barred during the employee’s life, the claim must be filed within one year of the date of death.

## History

Code 1933, § 114-801, enacted by Ga. L. 1946, p. 103; Ga. L. 1963, p. 141, § 17; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3, § 34; Ga. L. 1982, p. 2485, §§ 3, 9; Ga. L. 1983, p. 3, § 25; Ga. L. 1987, p. 1474, § 2; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1586, § 1; Ga. L. 2004, p. 631, § 34.

## Cross References

Time limitations for filing claims under chapter generally, § 34-9-82.

## Code Commission Notes

Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1991, a comma was inserted following ‘‘provided’’ in the first sentence of paragraph (b)(2).

## Editor's Notes

Ga. L. 1987, p. 1474, § 17, not codified by the General Assembly, provided that that Act would apply to any occupational disease not previously diagnosed before July 1, 1987.

Ga. L. 1991, p. 1586, § 2, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that this amendment shall not operate to revive any claim barred prior to July 1, 1991.

## Law Reviews

For article, ‘‘Occupational Diseases Under the Georgia Workmen’s Compensation Act,’’ see 8 Mercer L. Rev. 333 (1957).