Manhattan Chemical Exposure Lawyer

Many people underestimate the dangers of handling toxic chemicals until it is too late. Whether you work with chemicals and experience long-term exposure or you are a consumer who has unknowingly been exposed to a harmful substance, coming into contact with these chemicals can lead to serious injury.

Depending on the circumstances of the incident and where it occurred, you may have grounds to seek compensation for your injury. If you have been hurt by exposure to a chemical, our workers’ compensation and personal injury attorneys at Shulman & Hill can identify if you may be entitled to compensation.

Can I Sue For a Chemical Burn in Manhattan?

Chemicals are all around us. They can be found in household products, the structure of your home, in the workplace, in the air, and even in the ground. Since exposure to some chemicals can be hazardous to your health, companies that produce these chemicals are required to warn people about the risks.

If a product containing a harmful chemical does not warn users about potential health threats, they have not met their responsibility to consumers.

If you think that you have been injured or contracted an illness due to chemical exposure, the best thing to do is seek medical attention immediately. Contacting an experienced Manhattan personal injury law firm can also ease the burden. These cases can be complex from a legal standpoint and you may not have the time or energy to pursue compensation on your own after you have been injured.

Should I Apply For Workers’ Compensation After a Manhattan Chemical Injury?

As long as the chemical exposure injury happened while you were at work and on the clock, you should be able to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. To ensure that your claim is accepted:

• Make sure to report your chemical exposure to your supervisor at work immediately
• Be truthful when telling your employer how the exposure happened
• Let your supervisor know the names of anyone who could have witnessed the chemical exposure
• See a doctor as soon as you can and keep good records of your treatment and diagnoses
• Tell your medical provider that you were exposed to the chemicals while at work

Common Sources of Chemical Exposure

There are many situations that can lead to chemical exposure. Some examples include:

Herbicides

Most weed-killers such as Roundup contain a chemical called glyphosate. Studies show that agricultural workers who have had high exposure to glyphosate are 41% percent more likely to develop non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Environmental Contamination

Depending on where you live, you could be breathing in harmful chemicals. Contamination from companies that use industrial chemicals can pollute the air you breathe daily and even seep into soil and water.

Asbestos

Both the federal government and New York State have strict regulations on asbestos manufacturing that limits its use in buildings. Sadly, many older buildings are still full of this material. You can develop health issues by inhaling even the smallest amounts because asbestos is comprised of small, flexible fibers. Long-term exposure can lead to cancer (most commonly mesothelioma and lung cancer).

Carbon Monoxide

This gas is odorless and colorless and can be found in places such as your home or your car. All homes should be equipped with carbon monoxide detectors to protect the inhabitants from this dangerous substance. Exposure can sometimes be fatal.

Metal Poisoning

Mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium are a few common metals that can cause serious, life-threatening illnesses. Exposure can happen by contact with contaminated water, food, medicine, and certain chemicals.

Symptoms of Chemical Exposure

It is important for everyone to recognize the common signs of chemical exposure. This is especially true if you are in contact with them on a regular basis. If you work with chemicals or use them frequently and are feeling sick, it can be easy to miss some symptoms. Here are some of the main symptoms of toxic exposure:

• Inhalation-related symptoms: This can manifest as irritation, coughing, or a feeling of tightness in your chest
• Symptoms of ingestion: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, back pain, and frequent or excessive urination can be a sign of excessive chemical exposure
• Symptoms of physical contact: Burning, redness, rashes, inflammation, headache, dizziness, confusion, agitation, and fatigue may also indicate contact with a toxic chemical

If you have a chemical burn, you should strongly consider the following steps for immediate treatment:

• Run the affected area under cool, running water for 10 minutes or more to flush the chemical off of your skin. If it was a dry chemical substance, use gloves or another object to brush the material off of the skin.
• Take off any jewelry or clothing that came into contact with the chemical
• Cover the burn area with either sterile gauze or a clean cloth. The bandage should be loose so that there is not too much pressure directly on the burn.
• If the burning starts to feel increasingly worse at this point, rinse the area again. You may not have removed all the chemicals from the skin the first time you flushed it.

Why Contact a Manhattan Chemical Exposure Lawyer?

Chemical exposure personal injury claims can be complicated, drawn-out processes. Our personal injury attorneys at Shulman and Hill have a vast knowledge of the options available to victims of chemical exposure in New York.

Whenever possible, our attorneys can do the legwork for you so that you can focus on your recovery. An experienced Manhattan personal injury lawyer can also help to maximize your chance of a fair settlement. If you have been injured as a result of chemical exposure, call Shulman and Hill today at 212.221.1000 for a free legal consultation.