Toxic/Chemical Exposure

Toxic chemical exposure in the workplace can lead to devastating injuries or long-term health concerns such as liver disease, mesothelioma, and mental health difficulties. If you are injured at work due to chemical exposure, The Workers Compensation Lawyer Law Firm in Los Angeles can assist you.

Our attorneys are prepared to look into your claim and uncover any evidence of a toxic chemical regulation infringement or negligence by your employer that could have caused your accident. Even with competent representation, worker's compensation claims can be somewhat taxing, so the earlier you file your case, the earlier you can start collecting. Our lawyers will take the time to develop your claim and compile the necessary proof to support your injuries.

Types of Chemical and Toxic Exposure at Work

Getting exposed to toxic chemicals can cause anything from long-term illnesses to instant injury, illness, or loss of life. This depends on the type of toxic substances and the quantity present at the point of contact. Toxic substances that can cause life-threatening illnesses should be managed and controlled by the company or employer to prevent the effects. The following compounds can have serious long-term effects on your health:

• Carbon monoxide
• Beryllium
• Chlorine dioxide
• Hydrochloric acid
• Creosote
• Industrial alcohol
• Pesticides
• Isocyanates
• Polychlorinated biphenyl
• Manganese
• Silica
• Sulfur dioxide
• Sodium dioxide
• Sulfuric acid
• Photoresists

Employees who come into contact with these substances could suffer from memory loss, nausea, rashes, shortness of breath, dizziness, and other side effects. In some cases, workers have developed cancer after getting exposed to hazardous conditions for long periods. Some of the common toxic substances include asbestos, lead, benzene, and mercury.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a chemical that can be found in several workplaces due to its widespread use as an insulator. Fibers are useful in the construction field as an ingredient in cement mixtures. It's also resistant to high temperatures or heat which makes it a good insulator. Workers who are around asbestos or work with it in dust form are the most vulnerable.

At first contact, asbestos can cause an itching feeling or an unpleasant skin rash. Long-term asbestos exposure can result in lung diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis. Lung cancer is a life-threatening condition that grows over time as a result of exposure to various chemicals. If your company or employer fails to provide a safe work environment free from asbestos, you're eligible to apply for workers' compensation benefits.  This will ensure that you receive medical care as soon as possible.

Lead

Lead is a toxic substance that is present in a wide range of workplaces and industries owing to its prevalence in paints. Although the use of lead in paint has been prohibited in the United States, you could still get exposed to the old paint in buildings containing benzene. Construction workers should be cautious of this chemical because it's present in older structures and gets airborne during restoration or renovation projects. Plumbers who deal with lead pipes could also be at risk of lead exposure.

Lead usage has been proven to cause organ and neurological disorders. Short-term health effects of lead poisoning in the human body would include hallucinations, insomnia, memory loss, and delirium. Some of the long-lasting effects would include issues with the male reproductive, kidney failure, learning disabilities, and heart disease.

Silica

Silica, often referred to as quartz dust, is a naturally occurring mineral found in nearly every kind of stone on the earth. Unfortunately, silica can get into an employee's lungs and cause immense damage when crushed into fine powder by any method of grinding, chipping, or drilling. In general, any industry that uses granites, rocks, or other stones in their manufacturing should be mindful of the risk of silica exposure to their workers.

Benzene

Benzene is a chemical found in gas stations, oil refineries, and other workspaces overseen by the petroleum industry. Furthermore, it is present in paint, which means that commercial, residential, and industrial structures are all exposed to the risks of benzene. Benzene is a crude oil component that is found in petrol and other oil-based products. It is a colorless substance and has a distinct odor that any person who has visited a gas station would recognize.

Exposure to this chemical can result in headaches, skin rashes, and nausea. Workers who are exposed to these chemicals regularly may develop symptoms of anemia (low count of red blood cells.)  Benzene damages the bone marrow, causing a drop in the white blood cell count. This leaves the body defenseless and vulnerable to infectious diseases and other ailments.

Mercury

This is a common substance that's found in several industries and workplaces due to its widespread use in products such as thermostats, light bulbs, air conditioning, and heating equipment. An employee who deals with mercury should be conscious of the strict rules and codes of conduct that are subject to the use of mercury.

Mercury exposure can cause diarrhea, and vomiting as well as impair your neurological system and other body organs. Long-term exposure to skin contact or inhaling mercury fumes could cause memory loss, kidney damage, and other long-term health complications.

Exposure to these chemicals could result in organ issues, skin damage, eye damage, reproductive system complications, nervous system damage, and death. These toxic chemicals should be closely monitored and controlled to avoid causing injury to yourself and the people around you.

Company officials and employers are responsible for ensuring that all workers understand how to manage and handle each substance so that their safety and well-being are not jeopardized while they are at work. OSHA law requires employers to create safe working conditions for all employees. The company should supply gloves, masks, and other protective gear to guarantee the workers' safety.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) supervises and regulates all industries that are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Labor. OSHA has extensive codes of conduct and regulations that all companies are required to obey and comply with by law. These regulations are intended to assist companies and employers in maintaining a safe working environment and to train employees on how to handle hazardous substances in the workplace.

If you are suffering from one of the illnesses related to chemical exposure or have been subjected to a toxic substance over a long period, you could be eligible for workers' compensation benefits. If your company or employer fails to provide a safe working environment, you could file a negligence case.

Possible Injuries from Toxic/Chemical Exposure

Some chemicals and substances are dangerous, which means that any person who comes into contact with them could suffer from serious illnesses or injuries. Again, there are several circumstances in which you could be exposed to harmful or chemical substances at work.

Most employers would do their best to get rid of these hazards because of the potentially damaging effects they could have on any worker. Chemical or toxic exposure is most likely to cause injury through accidental ingestion of chemicals, inhaling toxic fumes, or skin contact.

Getting exposed to toxic chemicals can result in a variety of injuries. These could include rashes, burns, and lung or throat injuries depending on the toxic substances and how you got exposed to them.

Toxic and hazardous chemicals can also cause serious injuries and health conditions. These can involve neurological and nerve injuries based on the circumstances. These kinds of injuries could still occur as a result of inhaling toxic fumes, accidental chemical consumption, and skin contact. Some substances may even cause brain damage. Toxic paint fumes, for instance, can cause brain damage if the room or building being painted isn't well ventilated.

Although toxic/chemical exposure may appear to be a minor issue to your well-being while at work, it could cause serious harm. Even if you've had minor contact with toxic substances or chemicals, you could still be at risk of sustaining injuries and health problems depending on the situation.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Toxic/Chemical Exposure

If you were injured at work as a result of chemical or toxic exposure, you could be entitled to workers' compensation. All California employees have the right to workers' compensation for work-related illnesses and injuries. Employers are also required by law to provide workers' compensation insurance to all workers.

Workers' compensation is intended to cover any workplace-related illness or injury, thus most kinds and forms of toxic/chemical exposure are also covered. This is crucial to be aware of, especially for employees who often handle toxic substances and materials regularly.

All of this is done to protect the health of the employees across the state as well as to assist workers should anything unfortunate emerge within the place of work. Workers' compensation is considered a "no-fault" system.

This implies that you don't need to establish that your company or employer did anything improper for the accident to occur. In this kind of situation, all you would be required to do is demonstrate that your injury was caused by coming into contact with or handling the toxic chemicals at work.

Also, if your place of work does have the required procedures and precautions in place when working with or handling toxic substances, you could still be eligible for workers’ compensation if you sustained injuries or developed a health complication. You could be eligible for certain benefits under workers' compensation, depending on the situation.

If you've been approved for recompense, the insurance company will evaluate what is required to treat your condition or injury. Workers' compensation comes in a variety of forms. These include:

• Medical care
• Temporary disability perks
• Permanent disability perks
• Supplemental benefits for job displacement

The compensation you will receive under workers' compensation would be determined by the severity of the injuries sustained or condition, as well as the treatments that are required. This could include coverage costs for medical visits and treatments. 

Also, if you have developed a serious condition or sustained injuries that require you to take a break from work, then you would receive permanent or temporary disability perks depending on the nature of your case.

You could also be eligible for monthly payments that would be used to cover a portion of any lost wages as a result of the condition or injury under these perks. Lastly, if you've recovered from the injuries sustained but are not able to resume your previous job, you could be eligible for supplemental job displacement payments. With this, you'll be given financial support for any skill learning or training required to secure a new job.

If you've received workers' compensation payments as a result of an illness or condition, you must maintain communication with your employer, healthcare professional, and claims administrator. This is done to ensure that your treatments and any related expenses are covered by the benefits.

Additionally, it will be decided when you can go back to work and whether you'll need any modifications to your job to make it easier. Again, your health should come first. By keeping in touch, you can guarantee a quick recovery and a smooth return to your job if possible.

If you were exposed to a toxic substance or chemical at work, you can still be entitled to compensation under the workers' compensation system. These toxic substances or chemicals can then have a serious impact on your health. Therefore, you must get covered if something goes wrong at work.

Proving a Claim Of Chemical Exposure Injury

To win a chemical exposure claim, you should be able to show a causal connection between the negligent management of toxic or chemical substances and the injury you sustained. It is easy to prove causation if the symptoms emerge immediately after being in close contact with the chemical release.

On the other hand, it's more challenging to prove a case if you were far away from the toxic substance or the symptoms took a long time to manifest. However, causation is the first hurdle you'll need to overcome. You should also be able to prove the full extent of the injuries sustained to get full compensation.

This usually requires the testimony of experienced medical specialists who can assess your current condition and provide a solid prognosis for recovery. If you've sustained a permanent injury, you are entitled to greater recompense.

For all of these reasons, you should seek the advice of a professional toxic exposure lawyer who understands how to defend your rights and obtain the compensation you're entitled to.

When An Employer's Negligence Resulted In Exposure

An employer is required to provide training to their employees on how to manage and handle toxic substances in occupations where there's a risk of exposure to chemicals. Workers must also be equipped with proper safety equipment, such as gloves, eye goggles, and other safety gear. Failing to do so could result in additional liability on the side of the employers. Employees can claim for damages on their own, but there is a possibility that their claim would be dismissed.

Furthermore, most insurance firms and employers would do everything possible to reduce the settlement amount to the worker and his or her family. In light of this, it is strongly advised that workers seek the advice of an experienced workplace injury lawyer. This not only guarantees their rights are upheld but also improves the likelihood that every aspect of their case will be taken into account.

What To Do If You've Been Exposed to Chemicals or Toxic Substances

If you've been exposed to chemicals or toxic substances at work, there are a few procedures you should consider, especially if you seek to claim workers' compensation benefits. The first action you should consider taking is to get medical treatment if necessary.

If you feel that you've been exposed to toxic substances, you should still seek the advice of a physician or doctor, even in situations when chemical exposure is not apparent. From there, you'll be notified whether you have a physical condition as a result of chemical exposure or toxic substances at work. The next step you could take include:

• Notify your supervisor or employer of the chemical exposure
• Fill out a claim form for workers' compensation
• Receive notification of approval or disapproval
• Get proper medical attention for your injuries or condition

If possible, you should always notify your supervisor or employer of any job-related illnesses or injuries. If you've been exposed to toxic chemicals, it is essential to inform your employer or supervisor as soon as possible. This will help him or her to reduce the chances of any other worker getting exposed to the chemicals. This would also allow your employer to begin the workers’ compensation process. In addition, you should report your condition and injury within thirty days of the incident or when you became aware of the condition.

If you sustain a work-related illness or injury, your supervisor or employer should provide you with a WC-1 form to complete. In this document, you will detail the illness or injury, how it occurred, and whether or not it was caused by your job. You would then return it to your company or employer, who would fill in the remaining information and send it to the workers' compensation insurance for evaluation.

Retain a copy of the document for your record at all times. Deadlines are important throughout this stage of the workers' compensation process. Your employer would respond to your claim within one business day. If you or an employer fails to submit the workers' compensation claim on time, it could be denied, resulting in the loss of possible benefits.

A claims administrator would analyze the forms and assess whether or not you're qualified for workers' compensation benefits. They would even launch an investigation on your claim to verify its authenticity. Once they have reached their decision, your company or employer should inform you whether your application has been accepted or denied.

If accepted, they'll provide you with information on the benefits you could be entitled to for your illness or injury. If you are denied, you could still appeal the verdict, depending on the situation. It's crucial to understand that you can still get medical treatment and support even while the claims process is in progress. During this time, your employer will pay for these treatments. However, the amount of coverage is limited.

Workers' compensation benefits will provide you with the coverage you need to treat any illness or injury caused by chemical exposure. The treatments would vary based on the specific situation. It's possible that you'll only need little medical care, or that you'll need to go through several treatments. Everyone's situation is unique, and with workers' compensation, you could be able to get the care you need for your work-related illness or injury.

How an Attorney Can Help You With a Worker’s Compensation Claim

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires employers to train their employees and provide proper warnings about the dangers of toxic chemicals. If you are injured at work as a result of exposure to toxic substances, you could be entitled to compensation for your disability, medical bills, lost earnings, and suffering and pain.

However, the assistance of an attorney is essential. Your lawyer can assist you in submitting your claim and present solid evidence proving the nature of your damages. Coping with the aftereffects of toxic exposure is extremely difficult. It is best to entrust your case to a competent attorney while you focus on recovery.

Find a Workers' Compensation Lawyer Near Me

Getting exposed to hazardous chemicals and toxic substances can jeopardize your health and cause long-term effects. If you or someone you know has sustained injuries from chemical exposure while at work, contact us at The Workers Compensation Lawyer Law Firm in Los Angeles.

We assist people to navigate through every stage of the workers' compensation process. Our professionals also assist employees who have suffered on-the-job injuries with their worker compensation cases. You can count on our attorneys to pursue your compensation with the attention and diligence it requires. Call us now at 424-501-9228.