Each year thousands of workers are exposed to toxic chemicals and substances on the job. At times, the risks associated with those chemicals are unknown. However, toxic exposure can often be avoided by following proper safety protocols.
If you or a loved one was exposed to a toxic substance and suffered an injury or illness, contact an NYC work injury lawyer at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek P.C. We have the experience to investigate your case and help you obtain compensation.
Call us at 212-490-5700 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation. There’s no fee unless we win.
What Is Considered Toxic Exposure?
Toxic exposure is being directly or indirectly in contact with a substance – natural or man-made – that leads to changes in body structure or function. Toxic exposure may take place once or over a long period. It can lead to illness or even death.
What Are Toxic Substances?
A toxic substance, often called a chemical hazard, can pose significant health risks to workers, such as irritation, sensitization, and even carcinogenicity (cancer). Physical hazards can include flammability, corrosion, and explosibility.
Toxic substances may be airborne, liquid, or solid. They often enter the body through breathing or direct handling.
Toxic Chemical Exposure at Work
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), more than 13,000 toxic chemical and substance exposures to workers in 2020. This number was much lower than previous years, likely because of the drastically lower overall employment rate during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Common toxic chemicals and substances include:
- Combustible dust
- Acetic acid
- Acetone
- Ammonia
- Arsenic
- Asbestos
- Asphalt fumes
- Benzene
- Cadmium
- Carbon dioxide
- Carbon monoxide
- Chromium
- Cobalt
- Copper fumes
- Ethyl alcohol
- Fungi
- Iron oxide fumes
- Lead
- Manganese fumes
- Methyl acetate
- Nickel
- Petroleum distillates
- Phosphoric acid
- Silica
- Silver
- Tin
- Toluene
- Trimethylbenzene
- Vanadium
- Xylene
- Zinc oxide fumes
How Does Toxic Exposure Happen?
Exposure to dangerous chemicals is typically seen in construction accidents, chemical spills, paints, fuels, dust and debris, and other vapors and solvents. There are safe ways to handle chemicals, but people can get hurt when employers don’t properly train people, or safety protocols are not followed.
OSHA has chemical-related safety protocols based on individual substances. Regulations regarding handling certain chemicals and toxic substances are based on activity level and ceiling limit – how much substance a human can be exposed to without harm.
The more severe a reaction that is likely, the stricter protocols will be. Similarly, if a person must only be exposed for a short period, safety regulations will be more intense.
OSHA has specific web pages discussing Chemical Related Safety and Health Topics for many individual toxic substances.
Work Injuries
Who’s Liable for a Toxic Chemical Exposure?
Multiple parties may be responsible if you are exposed to toxic chemicals in NYC and are harmed. If your employer is to blame, you should file a workers’ compensation claim. However, you will only get money for medical bills, a portion of your lost wages, and disability through workers’ comp. You cannot get damages for non-economic losses like pain and suffering.
If you file a third-party personal injury claim against another party who is also responsible for your injuries, you can recover significantly more. We can help you get money for pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, loss of earning potential, future medical bills, disfigurement, and more.
Some of the parties who may have contributed to your toxic chemical injury or illness include:
- General contractors
- Subcontractors
- Property owners and managers
- Engineers
- Manufacturing companies
- Mechanics
- Truck drivers
It’s important to include all the people or companies who may be responsible for your damages in your personal injury lawsuit. If you don’t, you may forfeit the right to recover all the compensation you deserve.
Toxic Chemical Exposure Injuries
Toxic chemical exposures can cause both injuries and ongoing illness. Some of the common afflictions we have seen include:
- Respiratory distress and illness
- Pneumonia
- Nerve damage
- Brain damage
- Cancer
- Infertility
- Organ damage and failure
- Hearing or vision loss
- Chemical burns
- Paralysis
- Birth defects
Exposure to some substances can even result in death. If your loved one died due to toxic chemical exposure on the job, you need to reach out to a wrongful death attorney right away.
Contact a Lawyer for Help
Toxic chemical exposure cases can be complex. They often require experts like chemical engineers and medical personnel to offer opinions about your situation. Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek P.C. has a who can guide you through a claim.
Our compassionate attorneys will listen to your situation and determine what you can expect. Then, we will make sure you get the most compensation possible.
Call Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek P.C. at 212-490-5700 or use our online contact form for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. There’s no fee unless we win.
CLIENT REVIEWS
05/01/2015
“I cannot recommend Jon Damashek highly enough. I attribute the favorable outcome of my case to his consummate and tireless dedication and tenacity. Just as important, he was truly there with me every step of the way. He was very…
5
Mike, HKD CLIENT
05/01/2015
“I had the opportunity to work with Jon Damashek and had an amazing experience. I have known Jon for many years and always felt very comfortable relying on his expertise, knowledge of the law, and more importantly – his ability…
5
Steven, HKD CLIENT
06/05/2019
I had the opportunity of having this amazing team of lawyers work on my case. When I first met with Jordan Hecht and Michael Kusz, I really liked their energy and the spunk that they had, it meant business and…
5
Anonymous, HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
I cannot recommend Jon Damashek highly enough. I attribute the favorable outcome to my case to his consummate and tireless dedication and tenacity. Just as important, he was truly there with me every step of the way. He was very…
5
Mike W., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
I had the opportunity to work with Jon Damashek and had an amazing experience. I have known Jon for many years and always felt very comfortable relying on his expertise and knowledge of the law and more importantly his ability…
5
Steven B., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
I have worked with countless attorneys over the years and Jon Damashek stands out among them. I have seen first hand him advocate for his clients vigorously. He fights for the rights of the seriously injured, does not back down…
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07/05/2015
I know all three named partners at this firm and highly recommend them. They are very professional and tireless advocates for their clients. If you need a personal injury attorney, you cannot do better than Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek.
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07/05/2015
After meeting with Jon Damashek I knew immediately he was the right attorney for me. I had met with other attorneys in the past, but Jon’s experience, knowledge, and track record were most impressive. I highly recommend Jon Damashek and…
5
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07/05/2015
After meeting a half dozen lawyers at different firms, I decided to go to Hecht, Kleeger and Damashek. As soon as I met Jon Damashek, I knew I had to look no further. Mr. Damashek made me feel at ease…
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07/05/2015
I retained Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek for a serious personal injury case. They were very professional and managed to obtain a settlement for me that far exceeded my expectations. I would strongly recommend this firm for anyone’s legal needs.
5
Peter M., HKD CLIENT