The Pennsylvania Occupational Disease Act (ODD) is a state law that provides compensation to workers who suffer from occupational illnesses or diseases caused by their jobs. This law applies to all employers in Pennsylvania and covers all occupations. The ODD is designed to protect workers from the risks of working in a hazardous environment and to ensure that workers receive the medical treatment and financial compensation they need. The ODD is divided into two parts: a workers' compensation portion and a civil action portion. The workers' compensation portion provides benefits to employees who suffer from a disease caused by their job, regardless of fault. These benefits include medical treatment, temporary disability payments, and permanent partial disability payments. The civil action portion of the ODD allows an employee to sue their employer directly for damages caused by an occupational illness or disease. The ODD also provides for specific types of benefits, including death benefits, medical and surgical benefits, rehabilitation benefits, and vocational training benefits. Additionally, the ODD provides for the establishment of an Occupational Disease Registry, which keeps records of workplace illnesses and diseases. The Pennsylvania Occupational Disease Act is designed to protect workers from the risks associated with their jobs and to ensure that they receive the medical treatment and financial compensation they need. It is important for employers to understand the provisions of the ODD and to ensure that their workplaces are safe and free from occupational hazards.