Toxic Exposure in the Workplace

Brooklyn Attorneys Dedicated to Fighting for Workers’ Rights

We are all exposed to toxic chemicals, often more than we realize, but for workers in certain industries, this exposure can pose an even greater risk, given the substances they come in contact with on a regular or daily basis. One of the most well-known substances is asbestos, which can cause aggressive, life-threatening conditions such as mesothelioma, for which there is no cure. However, there are many other harmful and toxic chemicals workers might be exposed to in the workplace that can cause a range of serious injuries and conditions. At the Belushin Law Firm, P.C., we will provide relentless and passionate legal advocacy to protect your rights if you suffered harm due to toxic exposure at work.

Discuss your legal options with our firm today in a free consultation.

Common Toxic Substances Found in the Workplace

Workers can suffer injuries from exposure to toxic chemicals in a number of ways, the effects of which can happen immediately or take years to appear. Some of the most common toxic substances present in work environments include:

• Asbestos
• Benzene
• Pesticides
• Acids
• Vinyl Chloride
• Mercury
• Paint
• Toxic Exhaust

Asbestos

Asbestos is a group of 6 types of naturally occurring minerals, which are made of fine, durable fibers that are resistant to heat, fire, and other chemicals. Due to these heat resistant properties, it was used in a plethora of products, including fireproof protective gear. Unfortunately, it was later discovered that exposure to this toxic chemical could cause asbestosis, lung cancer, and various forms of mesothelioma.

Every year, 10,000 individuals die from an asbestos-related illness. About 2,000 to 3,000 of these annual deaths are caused by mesothelioma, the most common of which is pleural mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos, however, does not cause immediate harm. In fact, it has a notoriously long latency period, ranging from 10 to 50 years.

Benzene

Benzene is colorless, flammable liquid, which evaporates quickly once exposed to air. It is amongst the 20 most widely used chemicals in the country, serving as the starting material for many other chemicals, such as plastics, lubricants, rubbers, detergents, and pesticides. It is also part of crude oil and gasoline and found in cigarette smoke.

Some professions that commonly come into contact with this toxic substance are steelworkers, lab technicians, gas station employees, and firefighters. Benzene has been linked to leukemia and other cancers of blood cells.

More on Toxic Exposure

In some cases, toxic exposure injuries are immediately apparent and require medical attention to minimize the damage. If an employer fails to provide proper safety equipment or neglects to put certain procedures in place for employees, leading to serious consequences, the employer can be held liable. Some of the most common injuries that occur as a result of toxic exposure include burns, rashes, throat and lung injuries, blindness, brain damage, organ damage, and disfigurement.

Workers’ Compensation Coverage

If you sustain an injury or illness due to toxic chemical exposure, you are entitled to file a workers’ compensation claim. Be sure to report the exposure to your supervisor as soon as possible and explain how the incident occurred. You should also obtain the names of anyone who might have witnessed your exposure. If a third party was also involved, you might also be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against him or her.

Protect Your Rights! Call our Brooklyn Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Today!

At the Belushin Law Firm, P.C., we have been pursuing justice on behalf of our clients since 2002. If you were injured on the job, our legal team of Brooklyn workers’ compensation lawyers is here to protect your rights. We have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients, including a $3 million workers’ compensation settlement. Our attorneys have handled a variety of cases, including matters related to mesothelioma, spinal cord injuries, failure to provide safety, and shoulder and knee injuries.

We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you will not owe us any legal fees unless we are able to recover compensation on your behalf.

Contact our office today at (888) 918-9890 to begin your free consultation with a top-rated New York personal injury law firm.