Toxic chemicals are present in many industries, but the workers who work in factories or settings where chemicals are manufactured, stored or used are most at risk for sustaining an injury caused by chemical exposure. When an on-the-job workplace chemical injury occurs, an injured worker can file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits – our chemical exposure lawyers in New York can help! Call 800-550-0000 to schedule your free consultation to get started.
Types of Injuries from Chemical Exposure
Workers who work directly with toxic and dangerous chemicals are most at risk of sustaining an injury. The types of injuries that a worker may sustain are dependent upon the point of exposure, the duration and severity of the exposure, and the chemical involved.
Some possible chemical-related injuries are below.
- Chemical eye injuries
- Chemical burns
- Rashes
- Throat and lung injuries
- Nerve and neurological damage
While nerve and neurological damage is less common than other types of chemical injuries, such injuries do happen. In some cases, injuries caused by chemical exposure – such as a lung injury or lung disease – cause long-term complications for the affected victim.
Causes of Workplace Chemical Injuries
Most workplace chemical accidents that result in injuries are accidental. Exposure to dangerous chemicals can occur for many reasons, and one common cause of exposure to toxic fumes is a workplace’s poor ventilation system. When ventilation systems don’t work property, the risk to workers increases greatly.
In other cases, employees who work with chemicals may be exposed to chemicals if there is a tear, rip or defect in protective clothing. A ripped glove or a chemical suit that doesn’t seal properly can put a worker at risk of sustaining a chemical injury. Other times, chemical spills happen, or workers may not have been trained on how to handle or store dangerous chemicals properly.
Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim with Chemical Exposure Attorneys in New York
In most cases, a worker who’s been exposed to chemicals on the job that resulted in injury or disease has the right to file a workers’ compensation claim. In New York, an injured employee must notify his or her employer of the injury within 30 days of sustaining the injury; otherwise, the right to benefits may be forfeited. Filing a claim can help you recover medical benefits, partial disability benefits, wage replacement benefits, and more, regardless of who is to blame for the accident.
Workers’ compensation doesn’t cover all types of damages. For example, workers’ compensation does not pay for pain and suffering damages. If your chemical injury was caused by a third party outside of the place of employment, such as manufacturer whose product caused the chemical injury, then you may be able to file a third-party liability claim for damages. If your claim is effective, you will be able to recover all of the damages that workers’ compensation doesn’t provide. However, you will have to prove that a third party was directly responsible for the chemical exposure you suffered, therefore, directly responsible for your chemical injuries. New York sets the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim for damages at three years from the date the injury occurred.
Call Our Chemical Burn Lawyers in New York
If you’ve been injured in a chemical accident at work, don’t leave recovering benefits for your injuries up to chance. Instead, secure the help of a committed attorney who will make sure your claim gets the attention it deserves and that you get the full benefits and/or damages that you need. At Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C., our chemical exposure lawyers in New York are ready to help with all of your workers’ compensation and personal injury lawsuit needs. To get in touch with us today, call our offices now at 800-550-0000.
