Our Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyers can investigate how you were exposed to toxic chemicals in the workplace and explore your options for recovering damages.
What Kinds of Toxic Chemicals Are Found in the Workplace?
Workplace chemical hazards vary from industry to industry and even from position to position. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), hazardous materials that may be found on job sites include:
- Ammonia
- Bromine
- Chlorine
- Nitric oxide
- Phosgene
- Sarin
Other work hazards include benzene, lead, and asbestos. Exposure to these and other chemicals may occur through skin contact or inhalation.
The types and amounts of chemicals you may be exposed to depend on your job. For example, if your job is to sanitize equipment, you might be at risk of chronic chlorine exposure through the bleach you use to perform your duties. Painters may be more likely to suffer either acute or permanent damage to the central nervous system caused by the chemicals found in paint, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Can You Prevent Exposure to Toxic Chemicals at Work?
In some cases, yes. Your employer or a third party who helps manage the worksite can take certain measures to minimize the risk of toxic exposure, including:
- Following OSHA guidance for containing the release of dangerous chemicals
- Providing workers with sufficient training and instruction so they know how to use all equipment properly and avoid unnecessary hazards
- Making sure all chemicals and equipment used on the job site are maintained and stored correctly
- Providing employees with protective clothing and equipment, such as masks and goggles, to reduce injury and illness if chemical exposure does occur
All of these actions can protect workers from being exposed to chemicals in the first place or, if exposure does occur, from breathing in or touching toxic substances.
What to Do if You Are Exposed to Hazardous Chemicals
Employee exposure to harmful chemicals should always be taken seriously. If you even suspect that you suffered such an exposure:
- Get medical help immediately. This could mean visiting an onsite medic or your doctor or, if your symptoms are acute and life-threatening, going to the ER. Ask your doctor if your condition was likely caused by workplace exposure.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions. The sooner you start your treatment regimen, the greater your chances may be of minimizing the harm done. Stopping treatment before your doctor says you are finished could also put your health—and your legal case—at risk.
- File a report. Make sure your employer knows what happened and how you were exposed. Filing a timely report is a requirement if you plan on filing a workers’ compensation claim later.
- Preserve evidence. Do not throw away anything related to your occupational illness. Materials like medical bills, communications with your employer, and photos of your work environment are all important sources of evidence.
- Speak to our law firm. Our occupational lead exposure lawyers can inform you of your rights and identify the right way to pursue compensation in your case.
How Do You Get Compensation for Dangerous Chemical Exposure?
The symptoms you experience—and their long-term effects on your life—depend on what substance you were exposed to, for how long, and how the exposure occurred. However, all workplace exposure cases have two things in common: the injury victim is now suffering just because they were doing their job, and they deserve financial compensation.
Most workers diagnosed with an occupational illness or injury are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, depending on the specifics of their case. For example, if you plan to seek workers’ compensation for asbestos exposure, our lawyers could file a claim for benefits like:
- Medical care for conditions like asbestosis or cancer
- Disability payments, if your condition prevents you from working as much as before or at all
- Death benefits, if your loved one passed away from a condition related to their workplace asbestos exposure
Personal Injury Claims Based on Exposure to Chemical Hazards
Note that workers’ compensation only covers certain economic, or financial, damages. You can pursue non-economic, or physical and mental, damages by filing a personal injury claim. Employees can file such a claim only if their employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance or if a third party was responsible for their safety.
Returning to the example of asbestos exposure, a personal injury claim could entitle the victim of such exposure to compensation for:
- The physical pain and suffering associated with the asbestos-related health issue
- The emotional distress of being diagnosed with a serious illness and living with the consequences of that illness
- Lost wages not covered by workers’ compensation, which typically only covers up to 66 2/3 percent of your normal income
- Reduced quality of life, such as the inability to perform daily tasks that you once did with ease
Do you qualify to pursue workers’ compensation for chemical exposure, a personal injury claim, or both? No matter what your circumstances, our work injury attorneys are prepared to help.
Get Help After Toxic Chemical Exposure at Work
If you or a loved one has suffered harm caused by exposure to harmful chemicals in the workplace, you may have a valid claim for compensation. Speak with our workers’ compensation lawyers to learn about your rights as an employee today. Rosenberg & Rosenberg offers free case reviews and can explain your options in English, Spanish, or Creole.
