Chemical and Hazardous Substance Exposure
When lung injury or other harm results from hazardous chemical exposure on the job, victims are urged to contact an experienced lawyer to schedule a free initial consultation. Lung injury from long-term exposure to chemicals such as those listed below may be compensable through workers’ compensation and possibly through third-party liability claims as well.
Toxic Injury After Chemical Exposure to Hazardous Substances on the Job
Employers and manufacturers of industrial and household chemicals may be held accountable when employees suffer toxic injury after chemical exposure to substances such as the following:
- Benzene
- Diesel fuel
- Gasoline
- Brake cleaner
- Parts cleaner
- Kerosene
- Toluene
- Naphtha
- Thinner
- Solvent
- Asbestos
Employers are responsible for providing proper training and implementing safety measures when employees must use dangerous chemicals such as these in the course of their jobs. Workers need to know that they are legally entitled to look at the MSDS (material safety data sheet) for hazardous substances that they may be exposed to on the job.
Short-Term and Long-Term Injuries
Improper handling of hazardous chemicals may lead to injuries in the short term or long term, such as the following:
- Cancer, including leukemia
- Brain damage
- Damage to the central nervous system
- Heart damage
- Lung damage
- Bone and joint damage
- Occupational asthma
Secondhand Chemical Exposure
Since there have been documented cases of housewives developing mesothelioma after breathing in dust from their husbands’ clothes, we know that secondhand exposure to hazardous substances may be as harmful as firsthand exposure by employees who work with dangerous chemicals.
We work on a contingency basis. We don’t get paid unless you do.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer that primarily affects the lining of the lungs (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum), or heart (pericardium). While there are some less common risk factors, the overwhelming majority of mesothelioma cases are directly linked to exposure to asbestos.
This fibrous mineral, once widely used in various industries, poses a significant health threat when its microscopic fibers become airborne and are inhaled or ingested. The latency period between asbestos exposure and the development of mesothelioma can be incredibly long, often ranging from 20 to 50 years.
If you believe that you have contracted mesothelioma due to work-related exposure, it is crucial to understand your legal rights and options.
This devastating diagnosis, often occurring decades after initial asbestos exposure, can leave victims and their families facing immense medical expenses, lost income, and emotional distress. Companies that knowingly exposed workers to asbestos without proper warnings or protection can be held accountable for the harm they caused.
A Charleston mesothelioma lawyer can handle these complex cases and can provide invaluable assistance. They possess the legal understanding of asbestos litigation, including the specific regulations, historical exposure sites, and liable companies in the Charleston area and beyond.
The Primary Culprit: Asbestos
Asbestos is the undisputed leading cause of mesothelioma. Its unique properties, including heat resistance, insulation capabilities, and strength, made it a popular material in construction, manufacturing, and other sectors for much of the 20th century. However, when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, they release tiny, needle-like fibers into the air. These fibers, once inhaled, can become lodged in the mesothelial lining of organs, leading to chronic inflammation and cellular damage that can eventually progress to cancer.
High-Risk Occupations
Numerous professions carried a high risk of asbestos exposure, putting workers in direct contact with the dangerous fibers. These occupations often involved manufacturing, installation, or removal of asbestos-containing products.
Construction and Renovation Workers: This broad category includes a significant number of individuals exposed to asbestos. Plumbers, electricians, carpenters, roofers, and demolition workers frequently encountered asbestos in insulation, ceiling tiles, flooring, pipes, and roofing materials. When these materials were cut, drilled, or removed, asbestos fibers were released into the air.
Shipbuilding and Repair: During the 20th century, asbestos was extensively used in shipbuilding for insulation, fireproofing, and soundproofing. Workers involved in building, repairing, or dismantling ships, including pipefitters, welders, and laggers, were routinely exposed to high concentrations of airborne asbestos fibers in enclosed spaces.
Power Plant and Industrial Workers: Power generation facilities, refineries, and other industrial plants heavily relied on asbestos for insulation of boilers, pipes, and machinery due to its heat-resistant properties. Maintenance workers, insulators, and boilermakers in these environments faced consistent exposure.
Automotive Mechanics: Historically, asbestos was a common component in brake linings and clutch pads. Mechanics who worked on these parts, especially before regulations restricted asbestos use, were at risk of inhaling asbestos dust released during repairs and replacements.
Firefighters: Firefighters often respond to fires in older buildings where asbestos-containing materials may be present. The destruction caused by fire can release large quantities of asbestos fibers into the air, exposing firefighters as they battle blazes and sift through debris.
Factory and Manufacturing Workers: Employees in factories that produced asbestos-containing products, such as insulation, textiles, or cement, were directly involved in handling raw asbestos and finished goods, leading to significant exposure.
Secondary (Take-Home) Exposure
Beyond direct occupational exposure, a concerning aspect of workplace asbestos hazards is “take-home” exposure. Workers who were directly exposed to asbestos could unknowingly bring asbestos fibers home on their clothing, hair, skin, and tools. Family members, particularly spouses who laundered contaminated clothing and children who greeted their parents, could then inhale or ingest these fibers. This indirect exposure has unfortunately led to mesothelioma diagnoses in individuals who never directly worked with asbestos.
Lack of Awareness and Protection
For many decades, the dangers of asbestos were not widely known or properly communicated to workers. Even when the risks became apparent, adequate protective measures, such as proper ventilation, respirators, and training, were often insufficient or entirely absent. This lack of awareness and protection exacerbated the problem, leading to widespread exposure among unsuspecting workers.
Am overwhelming majority of mesothelioma cases stem from occupational exposure to asbestos. A wide range of professions, from construction to shipbuilding, put workers at significant risk. The long latency period and the potential for secondary exposure make mesothelioma a devastating legacy of past industrial practices where the dangers of asbestos were overlooked or downplayed.
Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical & Hazardous Substance Exposure
- What types of chemicals are commonly linked to workplace injuries?
Workers may suffer toxic injuries from exposure to various industrial and household substances. These include benzene, diesel fuel, gasoline, and kerosene. Other dangerous materials include brake and parts cleaners, solvents, thinners, naphtha, toluene, and asbestos. Employers are responsible for providing safety training and protective measures whenever these hazardous substances are present in the workplace.
- What are my legal rights regarding chemical safety at work?
You are legally entitled to a safe work environment where employers implement proper safety measures and training. Specifically, workers have the right to access and review the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for any hazardous substance they may encounter. This document provides essential information on the chemical’s properties, health hazards, and necessary protective equipment.
- What types of long-term health issues can result from exposure?
Long-term exposure to toxic chemicals can lead to devastating health conditions. These include various forms of cancer (such as leukemia), brain damage, and damage to the central nervous system. Additionally, victims may suffer from heart, lung, bone, or joint damage, as well as chronic respiratory conditions like occupational asthma caused by improper handling of substances.
- Can I seek compensation for a lung injury caused by chemicals?
Yes. Lung injuries resulting from long-term exposure to hazardous chemicals on the job are often compensable. Victims may be able to file for workers’ compensation benefits. Depending on the circumstances, it may also be possible to pursue third-party liability claims against manufacturers or other entities responsible for the hazardous exposure.
- What is mesothelioma and what causes it?
Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. The overwhelming majority of cases are directly linked to asbestos exposure. When asbestos fibers are disturbed, they become airborne; once inhaled or ingested, they lodge in the mesothelial lining, causing chronic inflammation and cellular damage that eventually progresses to cancer.
- Why does it take so long for mesothelioma symptoms to appear?
Mesothelioma is characterized by an incredibly long latency period. It often takes between 20 to 50 years after the initial exposure to asbestos for the disease to develop and for symptoms to manifest. This delay means many victims are diagnosed decades after they have left the high-risk occupation where the exposure originally occurred.
- Which occupations carry the highest risk of asbestos exposure?
High-risk professions typically involve the manufacturing, installation, or removal of asbestos products. These include construction and renovation workers, shipbuilders, power plant employees, and industrial workers. Additionally, automotive mechanics (due to brake linings) and firefighters (due to older building materials) face significant risks of inhaling dangerous airborne fibers during their daily work.
- Is it possible to be injured by chemicals without working with them directly?
Yes. Secondhand (or “take-home”) exposure can be just as harmful as firsthand exposure. Fibers like asbestos can be carried home on a worker’s clothing, skin, hair, or tools. Documented cases show that family members, such as spouses, laundering contaminated clothes have developed serious illnesses like mesothelioma from breathing in these transported toxins.
- Who can be held accountable for toxic chemical injuries?
Accountability typically falls on employers who fail to provide proper training or safety equipment. Additionally, manufacturers of industrial and household chemicals can be held liable if their products cause toxic injury. Companies that knowingly expose workers to dangerous substances like asbestos without providing adequate warnings or protection may be legally responsible for the resulting harm.
- Why were workers not protected from asbestos in the past?
For many decades, the dangers of asbestos were either not widely known or not communicated to the workforce. Even as risks became apparent, many companies provided insufficient ventilation, respirators, or training. This widespread lack of awareness and protection led to generations of workers being unknowingly exposed to life-threatening fibers in various industrial sectors.
- What financial damages can victims of chemical exposure recover?
Victims and their families often face immense financial burdens. Legal claims seek to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and emotional distress. Because these illnesses often require specialized treatment and lead to long-term disability, pursuing compensation is vital to covering the costs associated with the diagnosis and the resulting impact on quality of life.
- How do legal fees work for chemical exposure cases?
Many legal professionals handling these complex toxic injury cases operate on a contingency basis. This means that the legal team does not get paid unless the victim receives a settlement or award. This arrangement allows victims to seek justice and hold negligent companies accountable without having to pay upfront legal costs during a difficult time.
Contact Bailey Javins & Carter Today
Contact Bailey, Javins & Carter, L.C. for more information. Know your rights pertaining to use of and exposure to hazardous chemicals on the job. Learn how to pursue and obtain compensation for your lung disease or other maladies caused by chemical exposure.
