(a) One year from the date the worker first discovered, or in the exercise of reasonable care should have discovered, the occupational disease; or
(b) One year from the date the claimant becomes disabled or is informed by a physician that the claimant is suffering from an occupational disease.
(2) If the occupational disease results in death, a claim may be filed within one year from the date that the worker’s beneficiary first discovered, or in the exercise of reasonable care should have discovered, that the cause of the worker’s death was due to an occupational disease.
(3) The procedure for processing occupational disease claims shall be the same as provided for accidental injuries under this chapter. [Amended by 1953 c.440 §2; 1959 c.351 §2; 1965 c.285 §87a; 1973 c.543 §3; 1981 c.535 §47; 1981 c.854 §55; 1985 c.212 §10; 1987 c.713 §6]