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Companies that use chemicals for industrial purposes typically have to abide by numerous safety regulations. When leaked or not utilized correctly, these chemicals can be incredibly harmful to the environment and public health. Following safety precautions is critical when individuals and businesses are handling these harsh chemicals.
If you are frequently exposed to toxic chemicals at work, it is important that your employer, property owner, general contractor, and all other relevant parties follow the necessary steps to ensure your safety. Your health could be significantly impaired if they fail to do so.
There are numerous ways you can be exposed to harmful chemicals in the workplace. Some workers are required to handle dangerous chemicals without the proper safety equipment, or they are given defective equipment that does not offer adequate protection. If you were exposed to toxic chemicals in the workplace and your health suffered as a result, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.
Contact a Brooklyn chemicals exposure attorney to review your case for free.
There are numerous chemicals and materials that can harm Brooklyn workers’ health if they are exposed to them without the right safety measures in place. Examples include (but are not limited to):
A number of laws and OSHA guidelines dictate how companies, property owners, contractors, and other relevant parties should treat such materials to minimize the risk to worker safety. These include specifications for the types of protective equipment that must be provided, ventilation requirements, and more. If these laws and guidelines are not followed, workers may suffer short or long-term health complications.
In New York, most employers have workers’ compensation insurance to cover potential losses employees may incur as a result of on-the-job health risks and dangers. Workers’ compensation might cover losses such as past and future medical bills and lost wages.
Filing a workers’ compensation claim is not always straightforward. The following is a list of potential challenges you may encounter.
To prove your workers’ compensation claim is valid, you need to provide evidence that the incident was truly work-related.
Your claim may not be approved if it is perceived that you do not meet the necessary criteria. A workers’ compensation law firm in Brooklyn can help you file your claim and navigate and respond to denials.
Even if your claim is approved, there is a chance it may be undervalued. Insurers may attempt to avoid paying what claimants are fully entitled to, and may even try to get injured workers to accept a lower offer.
This is another reason to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer in Brooklyn. Our skilled attorneys know how to properly negotiate with insurers. Their aggressive representation will optimize your chances of reaching an appropriate settlement.
Filing a workers’ compensation claim when you have been harmed as a result of exposure to toxic chemicals can be tricky when compared to other types of workers’ compensation claims. This is because it is not uncommon for the consequences of chemical exposure to not be apparent immediately after the initial exposure occurred. By the time you notice any health issues, you may no longer be working for the employer who put you at risk.
It is possible in many cases to file a workers’ compensation claim even if you are no longer working for the employer associated with the claim. However, insurance companies are often more suspicious of such claims than they are of claims made by those still working for the company. Additionally, if you were exposed to harmful chemicals months or years before you developed any symptoms, a thorough investigation will be necessary to prove that the incident occurred in the time and place you claim. Fortunately, at our chemicals exposure law firm in Brooklyn, we have access to the resources needed to conduct such an investigation.
While workers’ compensation benefits can help cover your medical expenses and make up for lost wages, it does not cover pain and suffering and similar non-financial losses.
You may have additional options to pursue compensation if a party other than your employer contributed to your exposure. An example is if the owner of the building you worked in used a harmful material or chemical without properly ventilating the surrounding area or issuing safety warnings or protective equipment. Or a general contractor or subcontractor you worked with may have failed to provide you with the right masks and protective clothing to protect you from harmful chemical exposure.
Along with filing a workers’ compensation claim, if you can show that you were exposed to chemicals as a result of a third party’s negligence, you may also be able to file a personal injury lawsuit.
This is yet another reason why it is wise to hire a Brooklyn chemical exposure attorney. The health effects from chemical exposure may not be immediately apparent. In order to seek compensation from a negligent third party, an attorney will need to investigate elements of your work history to gather evidence showing how and when your health was endangered.
Along with negotiating with insurers, pursuing the compensation you are likely entitled to can involve filing paperwork, gathering and presenting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and much more.
If you were harmed as a result of exposure to toxic chemicals, you should focus on your health. Let an experienced Brooklyn law firm like Shulman & Hill handle the claims process and paperwork on your behalf.
At Shulman & Hill, we do not simply promise to deliver results. We have a long list of past settlements and verdicts that show we have the skills and expertise to help you.
To learn more, call us today at 212-221-1000 or schedule your free case evaluation online.
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