Long Island Chemical Exposure Lawyer

The manifestation of chemical exposure may not come to light for a long time. The more someone is exposed to these toxins, the more likely they are to suffer serious health complications. The party who failed to protect you from this chemical exposure should face accountability for your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Embarking on this process can be difficult, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our chemical exposure attorneys in Long Island, New York can advocate for you and go after just compensation. At Shulman & Hill, we believe every case is personal, and our personal injury lawyers are ready to learn your unique story when you call us for a free consultation.

Contact our firm today at 212-221-1000 to get started on your case.

An Overview of Chemical Exposure

Chemical exposure occurs when someone has contact with a contaminated substance through inhalation or touch. About 13 million American workers face chemical exposure that the skin absorbs, potentially resulting in disorders and diseases. (Environmental Health Insights)

Workers in construction, sanitation, manufacturing, agriculture, and commercial painting face high risks of chemical exposure if they work with:

Asbestos

Asbestos exposure is most prevalent in the construction industry. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you can find this chemical in building materials, pipe insulation, roofing shingles, and other items. Common diseases these workers can suffer after prolonged exposure include mesothelioma, lung cancer, and lung diseases.

Lead

Per the EPA, lead is a natural element found in air, soil, and water. However, it’s toxic to humans and can cause cardiovascular complications, poor kidney function, and reproductive problems. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that 838,000 construction workers are regularly exposed to lead.

Solvents

According to OSHA, millions of workers are exposed to solvents every day. Solvents have physical, biological, and chemical properties that require controlled measures. Exposure to solvents may lead to health complications like dermatitis, cancer, and kidney and respiratory damage.

Asphalt Fumes

OSHA affirms that over half a million workers have exposure to asphalt fumes. They usually use this product when roofing, siding, road paving, and other concrete work. Health complications stemming from asphalt fumes exposure include headaches, cough, skin and eye irritation, and skin cancer.

Ammonia

According to the New York State Department of Health, ammonia is one of the most produced chemicals in the country—80% of which is in the agriculture industry. Even though it’s in various household cleaning products, people exposed to it in high concentrations can suffer health complications like blindness or lung damage.

Silica

According to OSHA, we use silica to make bricks, glass, ceramics, and pottery. Silica consists of small crystalline particles. If one inhales it, they may face an increased risk of lung cancer and kidney disease.

Damages You Can Seek After Chemical Exposure in Long Island, New York

The PFAS Project Lab found that over 440 facilities on Long Island may be using toxic chemicals, particularly in manufacturing. Still, you may have grounds to seek compensation for your damages if you were exposed to these harmful chemicals in the manufacturing, agriculture, or construction industry.

If your regular job duties caused your chemical exposure, you may collect benefits for medical bills and a portion of your lost income via a workers’ compensation claim. However, if a third party holds liability for your exposure, you may file an injury lawsuit for:

• Past and future medical care expenses: This category may include assistive medical equipment, medications, surgeries, hospital stays, diagnostic assessments, and follow-up care.
• Lost income: You might have missed out on your hourly pay or salary, bonuses, paid vacation, benefits, and other opportunities if you had to take work off to get treatment or rest.
• Reduced earning capacity: If your illness keeps you from returning to work in the long-term or altogether, you could request compensation to cover your earned pay.
• Pain and suffering: The illnesses stemming from chemical exposure and treatment for them can cause pain and discomfort.
• Scarring and disfigurement: Burns and other health effects from chemical exposure can lead to permanent scarring.

If your loved one passed away due to an illness related to chemical exposure, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death case.

Workers’ compensation benefits could cover the family’s funeral and burial expenses and some of the lost wages resulting from the decedent’s passing. If a third party is liable, you can also seek damages, including the decedent’s medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, and loss of income, as well as your loss of inheritance and care.

Common Refusals to Chemical Exposure Cases in Long Island, New York

When you pursue the other party for damages related to your chemical exposure, you usually demand this compensation from their insurance company. Insurance companies are a business, so they work to protect their bottom line. In that event, they may look for loopholes in your case to avoid paying you your due.

They could make claims like:

• You didn’t wear the correct protective gear on the job, so it’s your fault that you have this health condition.
• Your health complications don’t pose a serious risk.
• Your health complications stem from something other than chemical exposure.

Various forms of evidence can challenge these claims. One of the most prominent types includes medical documentation. Your doctor’s testimony can help connect the chemical exposure to your health condition, making it difficult for the insurance to further dispute your case. Your employer’s records that document the chemicals used and how often you were exposed can help boost the validity of your case.

How a Long Island Chemical Exposure Attorney at Our Firm Can Help

Linking your disease or disorder to chemical exposure, identifying the liable party, and fighting for fair compensation can prove complicated and time-consuming. These tasks can be more overwhelming while you’re trying to receive treatment for your illness. To save yourself this stress, consider working with a personal injury lawyer on our team.

Your chemical exposure lawyer in Long Island may assume various responsibilities, like:

• Reviewing your medical records
• Consulting your medical team to understand your condition and prognosis
• Gathering evidence that helps connect the chemical exposure to your condition
• Identifying the responsible parties
• Evaluating all of your losses
• Representing you during settlement negotiations
• Advocating for your best interests during a trial

Shulman & Hill is New York’s premier personal injury law firm, and we take on cases no matter how difficult or complex they seem.

Our attorneys have recovered more than $300 million in case results for injured clients. Although every case and outcome is different, you can rely on us to strive for the compensation you need to rebuild your life.

Understanding if You Can Afford a Chemical Exposure Attorney on Long Island

Many law firms require upfront, retainer, or hourly fees to work on your case. This method can put additional financial pressure on you since you’re already spending money on medical bills and not making an income. At Shulman & Hill, we understand these burdens you carry, and we don’t want to add to them.

That’s why we take chemical exposure cases on a contingency-fee-basis. Not only do we not ask for those aforementioned fees, but we also finance your case’s initial costs. Then, we deduct our attorney’s fees from the compensation we secure for you. If you don’t win, you don’t pay.

Filing a Lawsuit After Suffering Health Complications From Chemical Exposure in NY

When filing a lawsuit for compensation, you must keep the deadlines in mind. Under CPLR § 214-C, you typically have three years after the date of discovering your condition is a result of chemical exposure to file a lawsuit. Those who lost a loved one to their related condition generally have up to two years to bring a wrongful death action, per EPT § 5-4.1.

It’s not always easy to determine how long you have to file suit, so you may want to consider contacting our firm right away. A lawyer from our team can identify the deadline that applies to you and help you comply. If you let too much time go by, you may risk missing the deadline and running out of options for recovering compensation.

Call Our Firm to Get Help From Our Long Island Chemical Exposure Lawyers

Liable parties who put workers at risk of toxic chemical exposure should be held accountable. If you or a loved one developed a health complication as a result, the chemical exposure lawyers at our Long Island office can help you seek compensation for your damages. We can evaluate your case, find the link between the exposure and your condition, and fight for a fair case outcome.

Reach out to Shulman & Hill for a free consultation with one of our team members. You don’t pay anything unless we settle or win your case. Call us at 516.613.3196 today.